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A NARRATIVE OF THE FORMATION AND SERVICES 



Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers, 

FROM April 15, I861, to July 14, 1865. 



Brief Accotmt of their Experiences in the Camp and in the Field, 

TO WHICH IS ADDED 

A ROSTER, 

Containing the N'ames of all Surviving Members knoivn to the 
Veteran Association. 



Compiled front such authentic sources of information as were available, and from 
the personal recollections of the participants. 



PUBLISH&l5 BY 



GUSTAVUS B. HUTCHINSON, 

Late Sergeant Co. D, nth Mass. Vols., Boston, Mass., fuly 2i, iSqj. 



BOSTON: 

ALFRED MUDGE & SON, PRINTERS, 

No. 24 Franklin Street. 

1893. 



48388 




PREFACE. 



Our little volume, though not pretentious, has outgrown iis 
original limits. The intention of the compiler was not to 
attempt to write a historic narrative of the four years' service 
in the field of the grand old "Eleventh," but simply to place 
in the hands of the surviving members and their friends 
a brief sketch of its birth, organization, muster-in, and its 
arrival at the " front," thus connecting with Capt. Henry G. 
Blake's " Three Years in the Army of the Potomac," with a 
few notes of such changes as occurred in our commanding 
officers, a list of the battles in which the regiment partici- 
pated, and as correct a list of the surviving members as 
could be obtained from the roll of our present Veteran Asso- 
ciation roll-book, with a reference to the time and place of 
holding our annual reunions, together with the names of the 
officers who served on each of those occasions. 

It is at the request of very many members of the Associa- 
tion and their friends that I have undertaken to supplement 
this with a light sketch of the service of the regiment in the 
field, including, with the three years' service of the original 
members, an addendum covering the services of those who 
re-enlisted, with such officers as were retained and remained 
in the field after June 12, 1864, including the recruits who 
joined the regiment in the last few months prior to the return 
of the old " three years' men," forty-five enlisted men trans- 
ferred from the First Massachusetts Volunteers, one hundred 
and ninety-six officers and men transferred from the Six- 



4 PREFACE. 

teenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and Capt. Bennett's com- 
pany of ninety-one officers and men, who maintained the 
regimental organization in the field from June 12, 1864, to 
July 14, 1865. 

As to the measure of my success, I leave criticism to the 
participants, contenting myself with the reflection that I 
have striven to be faithful and just. My intention has been 
to place no statement in this book that could not be substan- 
tially verified, but if unintentional error or injustice should 
be discovered, I shall be glad to retract or amend it. 

My main object has been — after waiting twenty-five years 
for some one else to perform the labor — to place in "cold 
type " such facts as could be collected, particularly since the 
close of the war, as would fully establish the claim that 
Company D, of the " old Eleventh," was the first company 
of Massachusetts Volunteers raised for the war after the fall 
of Fort Sumter ; that it was the nucleus of the glorious 
Eleventh, which was the first regiment raised, organized, and 
officered after the President's call. 

It seemed to me a duty that the record of the four years 
and one month's service of this gallant regiment, its long, 
severe marches, its hundreds of skirmishes, its active parti- 
cipation in the sieges of Yorktown and Petersburg, in its 
twenty-five battles of official record, where it carried '* Old 
Glory " and the coat of arms of our grand old State into the 
thickest of the contest, should be made transmissible to those 
who were interested in the history of this regiment, — second 
to none in the value of its service. With material which 
would readily cover five hundred printed pages, my chief 
difficulty has been to so condense my narrative as to cover 
all essential points in these stirring events. 

I am much indebted to Capt. Henry G. Blake : " Three 
Years in the Army of the Potomac"; Martin L. Haines: 
" History of the Old Second New Hampshire Volunteers " ; 



PREFACE. 



5 



to the reports of the adjutant-general of this State ; to the 
files of the Boston daily papers, 1861-65 ; to the diaries of 
comrades, who have kindly loaned them to me ; to official 
orders and letters, to which have been added the personal 
recollections and recitals of many comrades, most of the 
latter being fully corroborated by existent records. 

To the brave officers and men of the regiment, to the kind 
friends who have aided and assisted it from 1861 to the 
present day, and to the families of our comrades, this little 
volume is lovingly and fraternally dedicated. 

GusTAVUs B. Hutchinson, 
Late Sergeant^ Co. Z>, Eleventh Mass. Vols. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Page. 

Call to Arms and the Response 9 

CHAPTER II. 
The March and First Battle of Bull Run .... i9 

CHAPTER III. 
Bladensburg to Yorktown ^5 

CHAPTER IV. 

28 
The Siege of Yorktown 

CHAPTER V. 
The Battle of Williamsburg 3° 

CHAPTER VI. 

On the March, Fair Oaks, Savage's Station, Glendale, 

Malvern Hill, and Harrison's Landing . . • 34 

CHAPTER VII. 
Bristowe Station, Second Bull Run, Centreville, Chan- 

TILLY, AND ALEXANDRIA 3 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Falmouth, Fredericksburg, and the Battle of Chancel- 

44 

LORSVILLE ^^ 

CHAPTER IX. 
The March to Gettysburg and the Battle .... 47 



8 CONTENTS. 



The Pursuit of Lee and Brandy Station 



CHAPTER X. 

Page. 



52 



CHAPTER XL 

The Battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold 

Harbor, and the Return of the Three Years' Men . 55 

CHAPTER XII. 

Cold Harbor to Petersburg 67 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Petersburg to Lee's Surrender 73 

CHAPTER XIV. 
The Return and a Resume 79 

CHAPTER XV. 
Veteran Association and the Roster 85 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE CAT-L TO ARMS AND THE RESPONSE. 

ON Monday, April 15, 1861, the Boston evening papers 
contained accounts of the fall of Fort Sumter and the 
proclamation of President Lincoln calling for seventy-five 
thousand volunteers. 

Some time previous to these events, a number of young 
men, members of the " Everett Association," had formed a 
drill club, being stimulated by the visit to that city of the 
" Ellsworth Zouaves," and had already acquired such a degree 
of proficiency as to have given exhibitions of their skill in 
military movements with marked success. Two of these 
young men, upon reading the alternoon bulletins, were incited 
to immediate action, and with soldierly promptitude took 
instant steps for a practical response to the call. These two, 
John W. Butters and Gustavus B. Hutchinson, repaired at 
once to the headquarters of the association, at 169 Hanover 
Street, and prepared and posted written notices calling for 
volunteers to form a company for the war, and appointing a 
meeting at the headquarters for that evening. These notices 
were placed upon buildings at the junction of Court and 
Hanover streets, the entire work of preparation being com- 
pleted by seven o'clock in the evening. The call was 
promptly answered, and by eleven o'clock the roll contained 
the names of sixty-seven men. Before adjournment, a tem- 
porary organization was formed, and a copy of the roll was 



10 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

delivered at the State House on the morning of the i6th, the 
earliest response to the call of the President. This company 
formed the nucleus of the Eleventh Regiment, and was subse- 
quently known as Company D. 

Meanwhile, other loyal and patriotic citizens were little less 
active, and the " West End " particularly was alive with 
military activity. During the ensuing day, Tuesday, April 
1 6, the enrolment continued at the headquarters of the 
*' Everett Association," and the evening was devoted to 
eloquent and patriotic appeals to enlist. Brigade-Major 
George Clark, Jr., Capts. Maclelland Moore and John Davis, 
Lieut. J. Frank Lakin and others participating, with the 
gratifying result of adding two hundred names to the roll. 

So rapid had been the growth of the movement that it was 
decided to organize a battalion ; this necessitated the pro- 
curement of a larger hall, and the headquarters were removed 
to 179 Court Street. Cooking utensils, mattresses, provi- 
sions and other necessaries were provided, a mammoth 
American flag was displayed, and the name, " Boston Volun- 
teers " was adopted as a temporary designation for the organ- 
ization. 

The eight companies of the battalion were composed as 
follows : — 

Company A, Boston, was recruited by Capt. Maclelland 
Moore and Lieut. John C. Whitten. They had both been 
interested in trying to organize an independent rifle company 
during the early spring, and had been given the use of the 
rooms of the Everett Association for occasional drill. On 
the 1 6th of April, Capt. Moore commenced to enroll a com- 
pany at the association rooms, and in a day or two received a 
permit from Gov. Andrew, to raise a company, the second 
permit granted. The company had a special headquarters at 
80 Washington Street, for two or three days, and then, with 
those enrolled elsewhere, opened the headquarters at 179 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. II 

Court Street. There was no difficulty in filling the ranks, as 
all of their commissioned officers and some of their sergeants 
had seen long service in the militia. The commissioned offi- 
cers were :. Captain, Maclelland Moore, of Boston ; he was 
promoted to lieutenant-colonel of Twenty-eighth Regiment, 
Oct. 28, 1 861; first lieutenant, Thomas G. Bowdon, of Bos- 
ton ; he was wounded and made a prisoner at first Bull Run ; 
died in Richmond, Va. ; second lieutenant, John H. Whitten, 
of Charlestown ; promoted to first lieutenant, July 21, 1861. 

Company B, Paul Revere Guard, Boston, was raised by 
Capt. John H. Davis. He commenced to raise his company 
at 169 Hanover Street, on the evening of the i6th of April- 
He received a permit from Gov. Andrew, April 17, and 
brought thirty or forty volunteers from Lowell. His com- 
pany was quartered at the hall at 179 Court Street, and was 
one of the first four organized. Commissioned officers : Cap- 
tain, John H. Davis ; first lieutenant, Melzar Dunbar ; second 
lieutenant, Frank Hayes, all of Boston. 

Company C, Clark Light Guard, Boston, was raised by 
Capt. Porter D. Tripp, and had its headquarters on Hanover, 
corner of Elm Street. The commissioned officers were : 
Captain, Porter D. Tripp, of Boston, promoted to major, Oct. 
II, 1861 ; returned with regiment lieutenant-colonel com- 
manding. First lieutenant, Alonzo Coy ; second lieutenant, 
Timothy Teaffe, both of Boston. 

Company D, Boston, as we have already mentioned, was 
raised on the 15th and i6th of April, at the hall of the 
Everett Association, 169 Hanover Street, by Capt. John 
W. Butters and Sergt. Gustavus B. Hutchinson, two of the 
members of that drill club. The commissioned officers were : 
Captain, John W. Butters, Boston ; first lieutenant, Malcolm 
Graham, Bsston ; second lieutenant, Charles H. Deloid, 
North Woburn. 

Company E, Boston, was raised by Capt. J. R. Bigelow, 



12 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

Lieuts. William E. Farwell and William A. Clark, all of whom 
were prominent members of the " Boston Light Guard." 
They were ably assisted by Sergt. Fred G. Wilkins, who 
had just returned, after several years' service in the United 
States Navy ; he devoted his whole time and means to the 
service of this company. This company was commenced on 
the 1 6th of April, and was one of the earliest organized. 
The commissioned officers were : Captain, James R. Bigelow ; 
first lieutenant, William A. Clark ; second lieutenant, William 
E. Farwell, all of Boston. Of Sergt. Wilkins it may be 
said, that his presence, his experience, and other personal 
qualities, conduced to form the very beau-ideal of the soldier. 
In our early drills, he proved of eminent service to his com- 
rades. 

Company F, Boston, was raised by Capt. Leonard Gordon, 
Lieuts. James W. McDonald and Currier, assisted by Private 
Thomas H. Dunham, Jr. This company had a special head- 
quarters at No. 1 1 Charlestown Street. The commissioned 
officers were: Captain, Leonard Gordon, Boston; first lieu- 
tenant, James W. McDonald, North Woburn ; second lieu- 
tenant, Simon P. Currier, Boston. Lieut. McDonald became 
major of the regiment, Aug. 29, 1862, while Private T. H. 
Dunham, Jr., closed a brilliant record by becoming a briga- 
dier-general toward the close of the war. 

Company G, Boston, was recruited by Capt. William C. 
Allen and Lieut. Joseph P. Myers. This company had a 
large representation of shoemakers in its ranks, coming from 
Lynn, Andover, and surrounding towns. Following were the 
commissioned officers : Captain, William C. Allen, Boston ; 
first lieutenant, Edwin Humphrey, Hingham ; second lieu- 
tenant, Joseph P. Myers, East Boston. 

Company H, Sanford Light Guard, Boston, was raised 
by Capt. Selden Page, Lieuts. Charles H. Colburn and 
George W. Califf, at 16 Howard Street. This company 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 1 3 

was called the " Sanford Light Guard " in honor of Mrs. E. 
H. Sanford. Capt. Page was at one time captain of the 
Boston Light Guards, and was an excellent drill officer. The 
commissioned officers were : Captain, Selden Page, Leomin- 
ster ; first lieutenant, Charles H. Colburn, Boston ; second 
lieutenant, George W. Califf, Boston. Of the last named, it 
is but justice to say that his energy and persistent efforts, 
more than those of any other individual, prevailed over all 
obstacles and insured the organization and enrolment of this 
company. His personal efforts in securing financial support 
at critical times were eminently successful. 

Major George Clark, Jr., having been selected to take 
charge of the organization, appointed George F. Tileston, 
adjutant; J. Frank Lakin, quartermaster; E. B. Haskell, 
paymaster. These gentlemen were all connected with the 
Boston press, and from their extensive acquaintance and 
practical experience were eminently qualified, as they were 
highly successful, in insuring the needed financial support. 
Mrs. E. H. Sanford, Col. R. I. Burbank, S. B. Stebbins, 
Chester Guild, and others, are entitled to grateful thanks for 
their liberal assistance at this time. 

Of the sixty-seven men who first signed the roll on the 
evening of April 15, one, C. C. Rivers, subsequently became 
lieutenant-colonel of the Eleventh Regiment, two have since 
been elected to the presidency of our present Veteran Asso- 
ciation, while six received commissions, and several others 
were non-commissioned officers of the regiment. 

PETITIONING GOV. ANDREW. 

Passing over the days of anxiety and labor that followed, 
the next movement of interest was made April 23, when the 
following letter was tendered Gov. Andrew : — 

Boston, April 23, 1861. 

The undersigned, acting for the companies whose rolls are herewith 
transmitted, respectfully petitions Your Excellency that they may, together 



14 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

with the company already organized and accepted under Capt. Thomas W. 
Clark, be organized into the service of the Massachusetts Volunteer 
MiHtia, as a regiment, to be attached to the First Division, 

(Signed) George Clark, Jr., 

Brigadier- M aj 07', Second Brigade. 
To His Excellency John A. Andrew, Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 

Meanwhile the work went actively on. The Boston Herald^ 
April 26, 1861, said, under the heading, "The Boston Vol- 
unteers," — 

" Elections were held in three of the companies of this regiment last 
evening, and several of the companies were out drilling on the Common. 
The regiment should be ordered into camp immediately, at the forts if 
possible, where the men would have a chance to drill. They are now 
maintained by private contributions which are limited because of the 
idea prevalent that the city fund of ^100,000 will do everything necessary 
for the troops. It does nothing, so far, for the maintenance of the men 
enlisted for the war, and the State government should see to it that they 
are not disbanded because they lack proper support." 

The elections of officers above referred to were completed 
in six companies April 26 and 27, and in Companies G and H 
on April 30. 

On May i, a meeting of the commissioned officers of the 
Boston Volunteers was held at the Parker House. The fol- 
lowing field officers were chosen : Colonel, George Clark, 
Jr.j lieutenant-colonel, William Blaisdell ; major, George F. 
Tileston. 

Three days later the command was officially known as the 
Eleventh Regiment of Infantry. During the days following, 
various drills were held on the Common before admiring 
crowds. At this time, the men were gratified to receive the 
ensuing message from Col. Clark : — 

Headquarters Eleventh Regiment, M. V. M. 

Orders No. i. BOSTON, May 4, 1 86 1. 

The colonel of the regiment desires in this, his first order, to congratu- 
late the officers and men composing his command, upon the success that 
has thus far attended their efforts; that their energy, perseverance, and 
patriotism has enabled them to organize the regiment first to respond to 
the call of the commander-in-chief for new troops. . . . 
William B. Mitchell, By order of 

Acting Adjutant. CoL. George Clark, Jr. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS, 1 5 



ORDERS RECEIVED. 

On the morning of May 6, the following special order was 

received : — 

Headquarters First Division, M. V. M. 

special Order No. 137. BOSTON, May 6, 1 86 1. 

Col. George Clark, commanding the Eleventh Regiment of Infantry, 
will detail four companies from his command in uniform, to proceed on 
Tuesday afternoon to Fort Warren, and report to Major Newton. 

P. S. Davis, By order of 

Division Inspe.ctor. Major-Gen. Andrews. 

Companies A, C, D, and H were detailed and proceeded 
at once to Fort Warren. 

On May 9, another order was received. It read thus : — 

Headquarters First Division, M. V. M. 

Special Order No. 158. BoSTON, May 9, 1861. 

Col. George Clark, commanding Eleventh Regiment of Infantry, will 
detail four companies from his command, to proceed on Saturday, nth 
inst., to Fort Warren, and be held in readiness for active duty in the ser- 
vice of the United States, and there report to Major Newton. 

S. Andrews, Major- General. 

This brought the remainder of the regiment to the fort, 
Companies B, E, F, and G joining their comrades. During 
the ensuing weeks, active drill was entered upon ; the men 
were frequently visited by their friends, and several inspec- 
tions were held. Owing to the necessity of increasing the 
regiment to ten companies, to meet the requirements of the 
United States Army law, two more companies were added to 
the number already at the fort. 

Company I (Bunker Hill Volunteers), Charlestown, was 
recruited by Capt. Benjamin F. Wright, in Charlestown, and 
had its headquarters at 45 Main Street. It was one of the 
two extra companies added after the organization of the 
Eleventh Militia Regiment. The commissioned officers were : 
Captain, Benjamin F. Wright; first-lieutenant, John C. Rob- 



l6 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

inson ; second lieutenant, Albert M. Gammell, all of Charles- 
town. This company was added May 14. 

On May 25, the uniforms were received and distributed, 
and the regiment assumed that soldierly appearance for which 
they were long distinguished. 

On May 27, another company was added. Company K, 
Dorchester, was raised by Capt. Benjamin Stone, beginning 
April 18. It was sent to Fort Warren to increase the regi- 
ment by request of Col. Clark. The officers were : Captain, 
Benjamin Stone, Jr., Dorchester; first lieutenant, William 
V. Munroe, Dorchester ; second lieutenant, John T. Sweet, 
Dorchester. 

Capt. Stone was severely wounded at the second Bull Run, 
and after several days' exposure upon the battle field was 
taken to Washington, where he died in the hospital about ten 
days after the battle. Lieut. Munroe succeeded him. 

General Order No. 22 was issued by Gov. Andrew, May 
22, calling for six regiments of infantry from Massachusetts. 
The Eleventh was assigned as one of these regiments, and 
on June 13 was mustered into the service of the United 
States, with the following field and staff officers : Colonel, 
George Clark, Jr., Dorchester; lieutenant -colonel, William 
Blaisdell ; major, George F. Tileston ; adjutant, Brownell 
Granger ; quartermaster, J. Frank Lakin, all of Boston ; 
surgeon, Luther V. Bell, Charlestown ; assistant surgeon, 
John W. Foye ; chaplain, Elisha F. Watson ; sergeant-major, 
WiUiam B. Mitchell ; quartermaster-sergeant, Henry Page ; 
commissary sergeant, Peter H. Haskell ; hospital steward, 
R. E. Jameson, all of Boston. 

This day was a memorable one to the troops. At ten 
o'clock a parade was held, after which the service of muster- 
ing in was performed by Capt. Lewis H. Marshall, of the 
Tenth Infantry, assisted by Adjt.-Gen. Schouler. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 1 7 



GOING TO THE FRONT. 

Early on the morning of the 17th of June, the camp at the 
fort was astir with excitement. Orders had been received 
for the transportation of the command to Camp Cameron in 
Cambridge. Up the harbor, along the Charlestown shore, 
the celebration of the battle of Bunker Hill was in progress. 
When the regiment landed it marched through Boston to 
Winthrop Square, where a collation was served at the ex- 
pense of the city of Charlestown. The volunteers recruited 
in Charlestown proceeded to the residence of Hon. Phineas 
J. Stone, by whom they were hospitably entertained. 

At three o'clock, the regiment left Winthrop Square on its 
way to Camp Cameron. Accompanied by the Bunker Hill 
Cadets, who acted as an escort, the organization marched 
around Monument Square, on its way passing the residence 
of Mayor Hutchins. On arriving at Camp Cameron, the 
men were put on regular army rations for the first time. The 
scenes at the camp were of great interest to the people in 
the vicinity. The location was a desirable one, abounding 
in pleasant retreats, well suited for a camp. One hundred 
and fifty men were required to do guard duty. Camp rules 
were stringently enforced. Thtire were no serious cases of 
sickness during the stay of the regiment. Friday, June 28, 
was an eventful day for the regiment, inasmuch as the last 
dress parade was then held previous to the departure for the 
front. The first flag raising at the camp was also celebrated. 
After the parade was over the troops were drawn up in line, 
and Q. M. Gen. Reed delivered the State standard to the 
regiment. Col. Clark replied in a neat speech, expressing 
his belief that the banner would be always held sacred by his 
men. The speaker of the day, R. H. Dana, was then intro- 
duced. He made a brilliant address, and was followed by 
ex-Gov. Washburn, 



1 8 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

On the same evening Mrs. Capt. E. H. Sanford presented 

the command with an elegant banner of her own design. It 

was delivered by her little son, with the following note : — 

Boston, June 28, 1861. 
Dear Sir, — By the hands of my son, I send you a color of my own 
design. I wish you to present it to the Eleventh Regiment, under your 
command. It is my desire that they bear it with them in the campaign, 
upon which they are about to enter, as a souvenir, not only of the estima- 
tion in which you are individually held by me, but as a token of the deep 
interest I feel in the cause you brave men have taken up arms to defend 
on the battlefield. ... I remain, sincerely yours, 

Mrs. E. H. Sanford. 

,To Col. George Clark, Jr., Camp Cameron, Cambridge. 

The flag was made of double silk, one side red and the 
other white. It was gorgeously trimmed with gold fringe and 
tassels, and was inscribed with appropriate mottoes. It cost 
two hundred dollars. 

At two o'clock on the following afternoon, the regiment left 
Camp Cameron and was conveyed to Boston by trains over 
the Fitchburg Railroad. On reaching the city, the command 
numbered nine hundred and seventy-eight guns ; not a man 
had been lost. The route of the procession was through 
Blackstone, State, Court, Tremont, Winter, Washington, and 
Bedford streets to the Old Colony depot. Much enthusiasm 
was shown all along the route by the thousands who had 
gathered to witness the departure. Then came the parting 
scenes. But a few moments, and the loved ones had been 
left behind, and, with saddened hearts but determined minds, 
the regiment had started on its journey to the seat of war. 
As an evidence of the honorable character of the officers 
and men of the organization, we reproduce an advertisement 
inserted in the Boston papers on the 26th of June, just prior 
to the departure of the regiment : — 

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 

All persons having claims against the Eleventh Regiment of Massachu- 
setts Volunteers are requested to forward them to the quartermaster as 
soon as may be for settlement. Address J. Frank Lakin, Q. INI. Eleventh 
Regiment, Camp Cameron. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. IQ 

Another newspaper extract is here given, showing the spirit 
and character of the members of this organization : — 

COL. CLARK'S REGIMENT. 

A Most Worthy Example. 

Orders have been issued from headquarters for four companies of the 
Eleventh Regiment to proceed to Fort Warren this afternoon, and they 
will accordingly leave the city at four o'clock. As an evidence of the 
spirit which pervades this regiment, it is perhaps worthy of mention that 
most of the officers are strictly temperate men, and yesterday the entire 
rank and file of Company H in this command marched to the Washington 
Home, in Charles Street, and every man of them subscribed to the pledge 
of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors. They say their business 
is to fight, not drink. — Boston Herald, Alay 7, iSbi. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE MARCH, AND THE FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 

T^HE regiment arrived in New York at about ten o'clock on 
^ the morning of the 30th of June, when they were received 
by the "Sons of New England," and escorted to the barracks 
at City Hall Park, where they were formally welcomed by 
Richard Warren, Esq., a fitting response being made by Col. 
Clark and Surgeon L. V. Bell. The regiment then filed into 
the barracks for refreshment, while the officers were enter- 
tained at the Astor House. 

In the afternoon, the regiment embarked on the steamer 
" Kill von KuU " for Elizabethport, from whence they pro- 
ceeded, via Harrisburg, to Baltimore and Washington. The 
train which conveyed the regiment, its wagons, stores, etc., 
comprised fifty-one well-filled cars, drawn by three powerful 
engines. Soon after leaving Elizabethport, one of the engines 
left the track, endangering the whole train and its more than 
one thousand passengers. 

Through the assistance rendered by expert railroad men 



20 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

belonging to the regiment, the engine was soon replaced upon 
the track, and the train proceeded without further accident. 

Col. Clark, having been apprised that he might anticipate 
serious trouble in Baltimore, just before reaching that city 
ordered the muskets to be loaded, and made every prepara- 
tion to repel attack and to force a way through the city in 
case of resistance. No difficulty occurred, however, the 
regiment passing through Baltimore at six o'clock a. m. of July 
2, and, after some delays, arriving in Washington at noon. 
Leaving the depot, it proceeded to the Capitol, and from 
thence to the White House where they were received by 
President Lincoln, after which they pitched their tents and 
encamped on the grounds south of and adjoining the White 
House grounds, known as the White House lot. 

Immediately after the tents were pitched Col. Clark issued 

the following order : — 

Headquarters iith Regt. Infantry, M. V., 
General Order. Camp Sanford, July 3, 1861. 

For the purpose of showing our regard for the estimable and patriotic 
lady, Mrs. Capt. E. H. Sanford, who has so kindly aided this regiment, at 
various times, and who has added to her other kind gifts the beautiful 
banner which we carry in our ranks, the commander directs that this our 
first encampment at the seat of war be called Camp Sanford ! 

On the same date the following letter was sent to Mrs. 

Edward H. Sanford : — 

Headquarters iith Regt. Infantry, M. V., 

Camp Sanford, Washington City, July 3, 1861. 

Dear Madam, — I take the first opportunity that has presented itself 
since the receipt of your magnificent donation to the regiment under my 
command, to express to you feebly, but most sincerely, the grateful thanks 
that are in the hearts of every man in the regiment. Your stand of colors 
was first unfurled to the breeze of our native State on Saturday last, and 
now waves proudly in more Southern lands, by the side of the stars and 
stripes, and the banner of our dear old Commonwealth. Side by side they 
there shall float while the Eleventh has a man to lift an arm in their 
defence; and as they wave we can never cease to bear in most grateful 
remembrance the kindness you have so constantly shown to us in our days 
of trial, crowned now by this last act of munificent liberality. 

Rest assured, dear madam, that as long as we remain a regiment, your 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 21 

name shall never be forgotten in our hearts, and the memory shall ever be 
an incentive to renewed efforts in the cause of the union of our common 
United States. 

With the utmost respect, I have the honor to remain 
Your obedient servant, 

George Clark, Jr., 
Colonel Wth Regivient Infantry, M. V. 
To Mrs. Edward H. Sanford. 

The arrival of the regiment was thus noticed by one of the 
Washington papers : — 

"Unquestionably one of the finest regiments that has yet marched 
through the avenue arrived at noon, Tuesday, headed by Gilmore's cele- 
brated band, and followed by twenty large new covered army wagons, each 
filled with camp equipments, etc., and drawn by four fat and sleek matched 
horses. The Eleventh, in their march up the avenue, were pronounced a 
little in advance of the best A.i. regiment yet in the list of arrivals. Suc- 
cess to Col. Clark and his noble regiment, may they be beaten, not on the 
battle field, but by the arrival of another regiment even more magnificent 
— if it can be done. The Eleventh numbers 1,048 officers and men." 

On July 14, the regiment left Camp Sanford, and with their 
train of twenty baggage wagons, eighty horses, and a full 
supply of tents, rations, etc., marched to Alexandria, encamp- 
ing at Shuter's Hill, near Fort Ellsworth, where they were 
attached to Franklin's Brigade. 

This camp was known as Camp Wilson, being named in 
honor of Senator Henry Wilson. 

On July 16, orders were received to leave camp next day, 
to take part in a movement against the enemy, then on our 
front, with headquarters near Fairfax Court House. A camp 
guard of one hundred men, ten being detailed from each com- 
pany, was formed and placed under the command of Capt. 
Benjamin Stone, of Company K, who being too ill to with- 
stand the fatigue of the march, was left in charge of the 
camp and guard. 

The regiment started in light marching order; the officers 
leaving their private baggage and the men their overcoats 
and knapsacks. The regiment was unsupported on the 
march, the other regiments of the brigade having moved out 



22 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUiNTEERS. 

in the morning, while the Eleventh took up the line of march 
in the afternoon. 

Just before leaving, Col. Clark addressed the command, 
impressing upon them a responsible sense of their duty. In 
the event of meeting the enemies of our country, he expressed 
his belief that all would conduct themselves in a manner 
creditable to themselves, the regiment, and the Common- 
wealth which they represented. The regiment responded 
with cheers. 

Two companies, under the command of Capt. Davis, were 
detailed to escort a detachment, having in charge a thirty- 
pound Parrott gun. Late in the evening, the regiment arrived 
at a stream too deep for fording and were obliged to utilize a 
single log for crossing. The darkness of the night prevented 
the pioneers from constructing a temporary bridge, though 
efforts were made to do so, but were abandoned. 

Owing to this and other obstructions placed in the way by 
the rebels, the regiment did not reach the brigade until three 
o'clock in the morning, and, after a brief bivouac of one hour, 
was again upon the march. 

We were dressed in our new gray uniforms, which had 
been sent us by the State committee, and which we were 
forced to pay for, despite our protests. The delusive color 
cost us dearly, for, at the first battle of Bull Run, one of our 
own regiments opened fire upon us, mistaking us for Confed- 
erates, and several valuable lives were sacrificed. 

July 20 found our regiment bivouacked near the village of 
Centreville, with a considerable force of the Union Army, 
under the command of Gen. McDowell, in a valley near that 
place. 

Within sight of the regiment were about thirty thousand 
men of all arms, the infantry in columns of regiments, with 
intervals of one hundred paces. 

Late in the afternoon. Col. Clark received orders to be in 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 23 

readiness for a forward movement at half past two the next 
morning. Promptly at the time specified, the regiment was 
in line, and with the rest of the brigade and division started ; 
but owing to some error in the orders, another division occu- 
pied the road over which it was to pass, delaying the progress 
of the column for about three hours and compelling a very 
rapid forward movement when the road was cleared. 

We passed through Centreville at about half past five. At 
a few minutes past six, one of our batteries opened fire with 
four guns, to which the enemy made no reply. When our 
division arrived at the spot from which these guns were fired, 
it turned to the right from the main road into a narrow farm 
road which was so obstructed by the carriages and other 
vehicles, containing spectators who had come from Washing- 
ton to witness the battle, that we were frequently obliged to 
double-quick in order to keep our place in the column. The 
column moved northwesterly, over a very circuitous route, for 
the purpose of turning the left flank of the enemy. 

At about eleven o'clock we came out of the woods into the 
open country, and, moving in a southerly direction, struck the 
enemy's flank and forced it back for about two miles, when 
it made a determined stand. Our left had been engaged for 
some time ; we had heard the sound of their guns and the 
volleys of musketry before we emerged from the woods. 

At the time when their left made a stand, the battle had 
become general, with the advantages in favor of the Union 
forces ; this continued until the enemy were heavily re- 
enforced by the arrival of a large body of fresh troops from 
the army under Gen. Johnston. 

We were ordered to move rapidly forward to support the 
troops already engaged ; the regiments advanced promptly, 
moving in close column for over a mile over ground which 
the enemy had yielded, the dead and wounded of both sides 
being thickly strewn along the way. 



24 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

Finding ourselves under the fire of both our own and the 
enemy's batteries, we sought the advantage of a small hill 
which protected us from the enemy's fire, though shot and 
shell were furiously hurled above our heads. We occupied 
this position for some time, lying close to the ground. 

Col. Clark now received orders to advance to the support 
of the Fire Zouaves and Rickett's Battery, the latter having 
left the hill in our rear and taken a more advanced position 
at the front. We crossed Young's Branch — a tributary of 
Bull Run — and endeavored to pass up the turnpike, but 
found this road so filled up with retreating soldiers and the 
caissons of Rickett's Battery that we were compelled to turn 
to the right, passing up the hill through the adjoining field. 

We reached the top of the hill, cleared away the fences 
and other obstructions, crossed the road, and entered the 
field where Rickett's abandoned guns now stood in the hands 
of the enemy. Entering the field on the right of the battery, 
we halted our right, while as fast as the regiment passed in 
it was thrown forward, left into line, clearing the ground from 
the rebels and re-capturing the guns. 

The regiment now occupied a line nearly parallel to the 
turnpike, reaching from the top of the hill to the valley near 
Young's Branch. Our left centre was twice forced back, but 
immediately re-formed its line in front of the battery, and 
held it until our right became exposed, without support, when 
it fell back, being under fire on our front, right and right rear 
joining in the retreat which had now become general. 

Our regiment, which was one of the last to leave the field, 
retreated to the ground it had left in the morning, east of 
Centreville, and remained there until ordered to return to its 
old camp at Shuter's Hill, which we reached on the following 
day (Monday) utterly fatigued by our continued exertions. 

Our regiment brought back its colors, four banners having 
been carried in the fight. Our loss in this battle was : killed, 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 25 

fifteen ; mortally wounded, six; wounded, thirty-seven; miss- 
ing, thirty ; total, eighty-eight. Of the missing, nearly all 
were either killed or taken prisoners. 

From July 22 to Aug. 9, we remained in camp, and recov- 
ered somewhat from the effects of the forced marches and 
battle. We were further much pleased by the arrival of the 
paymaster, July 27 ; we received the first pay for our ser- 
vice since our enlistment, the rolls being made out from May 
9 to June 30. We were paid in gold ; the three dollars paid 
us at Camp Cameron, " never to be taken from our wages," 
having first been deducted. 

The acknowledgment by the United States in thus dating 
our pay-roll from May 9 undoubtedly fixes our term of ser- 
vice as commencing at that date rather than from June 13, 
when we were mustered in. 



CHAPTER III. 

BLADENSBURG TO YORKTOWN. 

ITHE regiment left Camp Wilson, Shuter's Hill, Va., 
* Aug. 9, taking up its line of march, through Washing- 
ton, to Bladensburg, Md. Its tents were pitched upon the 
old battle field of this historic town during the next day. 
The famous duelling ground was within our lines and proved 
admirably adapted for target practice. This camp was called 
Camp Union. The First and Eleventh Massachusetts, Sec- 
ond New Hampshire, and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania regi- 
ments were formed into a brigade. Gen. Joseph Hooker being 
assigned to the command. The brigade was frequently 
under orders to march at a few moments' notice ; rations for 
three days were cooked, and cars stood ready upon the rail- 
road near our lines for immediate movement. 



26 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

The regiment performed picket duty in the town, and every 
wagon that passed over the road to Washington was searched 
for contraband mails or ammunition. About this time the 
patent drinking tubes and filters, with which we had been 
provided, having been subjected to a practical test, were, as 
a rule, cast aside. Details were ordered daily for the con- 
struction of the earthworks around Washington, digging 
trenches and felling trees in the woods and orchards that 
might interfere with the range of the redoubts and forts. 
Drills, fatigue duty, with a review by the President, and two 
by Gen. McClellan were the only events that disturbed the 
quietude of the brigade camp. 

On the nth of October, 1861, Col. Clark, who had been 
seriously ill since the first Bull Run battle, was advised by 
his physician to resign, and, much to the regret of both offi- 
cers and men, he asked for and obtained an honorable dis- 
charsfe from the service. This result he made known to the 
regiment in a letter of which the following is an abstract : — 

Harrison Square, 
Dorchester, Mass., Oct. 12, 1861. 

Having become fully satisfied that I shall be for some time physically 
unable to perform active duty in the field in the responsible position I have 
had the honor to hold at the head of the regiment, and not wishing to 
occupy a post of so much importance without being able to take charge of 
its affairs, I have felt called upon to resign my commission, a step I am con- 
vinced the good of the regiment at this time demands. . . . Bidding you 
farewell and wishing you individual health and prosperity, and as a regi- 
ment success, I remain yours, George Clark, Jr., 

Late Colonel nth M. V. Infantry. 

Lieut.-Col. William Blaisdell was promoted to the com- 
mand of the regiment. Major Tileston was promoted 
lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. Tripp, of Company C, as 
major. 

On Oct. 14, the commands of Generals Sickles and Hooker 
were constituted a division and placed under the command 
of Gen. Hooker. The encampment was broken upon the 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 2/ 

24th, and the division took its line of march for Budd's Ferry, 
Md., on the Potomac River, about fifiy-five miles distant. 
Four days were occupied upon the march, arriving Oct. 28, 
at what proved to be our winter quarters. 

The camp was located about two miles from the river, and 
the regiment supplied a daily detail to perform picket duty 
upon its banks. More than fifteen miles were thus carefully 
watched to prevent illicit communication between Virginia 
and Maryland. The rebels had erected powerful batteries 
on the Virginia shore, nearly opposite our camp, and threw 
shot or shell, occasionally, within our lines, but with little or 
no damage save that inflicted upon the old Budd House. 

Picket duty here, on account of the mud, the distance from 
camp, the frequent incursions of the enemy from the other 
side of the river, — while those on this side, open or disguised, 
were equally objects of disquietude, — was both irksome and 
hazardous. 

Toward the latter part of December, a scouting party, con- 
sisting of Companies A, D, and K, under the command of 
Lieut.-CoL Tileston, were sent to lower Maryland to search 
for arms and prevent the transportation of recruits, mails, 
and stores from Maryland to Virginia. The detachment was 
absent about three weeks, most of the time being spent at 
Port Tobacco and Piney Point; they succeeded in capturing 
a cannon and other military stores. Upon their return to 
Budd's Ferry they were highly complimented by Gen. Hooker 
for the satisfactory manner in which the expedition had been 
conducted. 

At about this time the Third Brigade, consisting of New 
Jersey regiments, joined us, completing the formation of 
" Hooker's Division." Upon the promotion of Gen. Hooker 
to the command of the division, Col. Cowdin, of the First 
Massachusetts Regiment, was placed in command of the 
brigade; he was succeeded, shortly afterward, by Gen. Nagle. 



28 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

On April 5, 1862, the division, having received marching 
orders, broke camp and marched to the bank of the river, 
where they bivouacked for the night. Next day the regiment 
embarked on the steamboat " Empress," which conveyed us 
down the Potomac. On account of a severe storm our boat 
came to anchor at Piney Point, also at Fortress Monroe, 
where we had an opportunity to see Ericson's famous 
" Monitor." 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. 

T^HE regiment disembarked April 12, at Shipping Point, 
* about ten miles from Yorktown,Va. The division marched 
through the line of abandoned rifle pits and redoubts, and 
encamped in front of the works at Yorktown, Gen. Hooker's 
and Gen. Kearney's divisions pitching their tents upon the 
ground occupied by Gen. Washington in the Revolutionary 
War. The Third Corps (Heintzelman's), to which we had 
been attached, were engaged for the ensuing three weeks in 
the construction of works under the direction of the engi- 
neers, fifteen thousand men being frequently employed daily, 
working in the trenches, and building bridges and making 
roads. The ancient rifle pits and redoubts often intersected 
the new works, and many relics, cannon balls, bullets, etc. 
were unearthed. 

The constant reverberation of artillery and musketry, rob- 
bing the men of refreshing sleep, the turning out to form in 
line of battle at all hours of the day and night, the continued 
labor upon the earthworks and roads, the arduous picket duty 
and exposure during almost continuous rains, combined to 
render our burdens almost insupportable, while the swampy 
character of the country, malarial emanations, and lack of 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 29 

proper medical supplies, caused disease, thousands being 
stricken with fever. 

On April 26, two companies of the regiment, acting in 
conjunction with a detachment of the First Massachusetts 
Volunteers, captured and levelled a lunette, built in an 
advanced position, which had caused much annoyance 
to the working parties. For the performance of this duty 
they received the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief. 

Preparations for bombardment being nearly completed, it 
was announced that the batteries, comprising one hundred 
cannons and mortars, including several two-hundred pound 
Parrott guns would open fire on May 5. 

There was heavy cannonading on the afternoon and even- 
ing of May 3, and on the morning of the 4th it was discovered 
that Yorktown had been evacuated. The stars and stripes 
were quickly raised upon the abandoned fortifications, and 
were greeted with loud cheers, which were echoed along the 
Union line, extending from York River to Warwick Creek. 

The division led by Gen. Hooker forming the infantry 
advance, in heavy marching order, with three days' rations, 
pushed forward upon the Yorktown road at noon to support 
the cavalry, which was pursuing the retreating rebel forces in 
the direction of Williamsburg. 

Before the evacuation, the rebels had buried torpedoes in 
the vicinity of the springs, hospitals, and other places which 
they supposed our men would visit, for a distance of three 
miles in the roads over which we advanced. The pioneers, 
however, had located these dangerous missiles, and guards 
were stationed to give warning to the troops, so that with the 
exception of injury to a few rash individuals who first entered 
the abandoned works, very little damage resulted. 



30 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. 

T^HE troops continued the march upon the Williamsburg 
* road, after leaving Yorktown, until they reached the 
" Half-way House," about equidistant (seven miles) from 
either place. Here they were compelled to halt three hours, 
Gen. Smith's division, which had moved upon a more direct 
road, still occupying the highway over which Gen. Hooker 
was to advance. About sunset, a squad of cavalry brought 
the news that the enemy was formed in line of battle at a 
point about five miles distant. 

Immediately afterward the order was shouted by an 
aide : — 

"Gen. Smith's division will take the road to the right — 
Gen. Hooker will move to the left ! " 

From this point our route was over a narrow pathway, 
leading from Cheesecake Church through a swamp. 

Shortly after midnight a halt was ordered, the division 
resting for the night in a large, open field ; a heavy rain, 
however, interfered with our much-needed rest. 

May 5, at daybreak, the line was quickly formed, the first 
brigade advancing in the rain upon the Hampton, or Lee's 
Mill road, which had been cut through a dense forest. On 
reaching a small earthwork which successfully resisted the 
attack of our cavalry the day before, it was found to have 
been abandoned during the night. Reports of skirmishers' 
rifles being heard in the front, the brigade halted to make 
preparations for an engagement, non-combatants being re- 
tired to the rear. 

Redoubts, extending across the peninsula, had been built 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 3 1 

upon the plain, the open space, half a mile in width, in which 
many pits had been dug for sharpshooters, being bounded by 
a forest, a belt of which had been felled, forming an abatis 
which no organized body of troops could penetrate. The 
regiments were deployed upon the right and left of the 
Hampton road ; the skirmishers steadily advanced, while the 
enemy fell back until we held a line upon the edge of the 
abatis. 

Our regiment w-as ordered to skirmish toward the York- 
town road, at nine o'clock, to ascertain the position of the 
enemy, but no force was discovered. The Excelsior and 
Jersey brigades of our division were posted upon the left of 
the Hampton road as soon as they arrived, and at noon the 
firing had become a prolonged volley of musketry. 

Gen. Johnston (the Confederate commander), deceived by 
the length of our skirmish line and the vigor of the morning 
attack, supposed that Gen. McClellan's entire force con- 
fronted him, and ordered a halt of his retreating divisions; 
though part of them had gone ten miles, they countermarched 
to assist in the defence of Williamsburg. 

These reinforcements from the rear were hourly increasing 
the numbers of the enemy in front, and the extended line of 
the division, which was pressed at all points, slowly contracted. 
The enemy threw a heavy body into the ravines which ran 
across the plain, and attempted to turn the left of our line. 
The First Brigade ("Grover's ") was now withdrawn from our 
right, and ordered to support the Second and Third Brigades 
on the left. 

The rebel batteries which had remained silent since 9 a. m., 
reopened their fire, and shot and shell swept the roads and 
woods. An attempt to change the position of some of the 
regiments at this point came very near causing a panic, but 
it was happily averted by the coolness displayed by Gen. 
Hooker and other officers. 



32 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

The constant rain and travel had converted the Hampton 
road into a bed of mud, Smith's New York battery of Napo- 
leon guns being almost buried in it. It was afterwards dis- 
covered that it had been Johnston's intention to capture them 
by deploying two columns, thus subjecting the support to a 
fire upon the flank and front at the same time. 

Our regiment was ordered by Gen. Hooker to cross the 
road and form a line of battle parallel with it, to prevent the 
attack on our flank. We could see a large body of men, 
through the dense woods, moving at trail arms, about twenty 
yards in front of our lines. Many of these wore the blue 
overcoats of our army, but most of them the distinctive white 
hats of the rebels. At first they were taken for some of our 
own men ; then there was a time of suspense during which 
our men were only kept from firing by force. Then a white 
flag was seen, and the cry went forth, " They are coming in 
to deliver themselves up." At this juncture a number of our 
regiment advanced to escort the flag bearers. The rebels 
opened fire and their brigade faced to the front, but before 
they could give us another shot " the old mortar fleet," a 
name given the Eleventh on account of their using a smooth- 
bore Springfield musket, with a cartridge of three buckshot, 
and a large musket ball, poured two volleys into them, which 
at this short range disabled fully thirty per cent of their Une, 
and at the end of fifteen minutes the entire attacking party 
fled, leaving more than one half their number dead or wounded 
on the field. 

The first reinforcement of infantry to come to our aid was 
Gen. Berry's brigade, which was the advance of Gen. Kear- 
ney's division, they having marched twelve miles through the 
mud, leaving Yorktown the very last of our forces, while for 
some unexplained reason Gen. Sumner's corps remained 
quietly at rest, little more than a rifle-shot away. Gen. 
Hooker, in his report of the battle, says : " History will not 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 33 

be believed, when it is told that the noble officers and men of 
my division were permitted to carry on this unequal struggle 
from morning until night, unaided, in the presence of more 
than thirty thousand of their countrymen with arms in their 
hands ! Nevertheless, it is true." 

The total loss of our division in this battle was 1,575, of 
which there were 338 killed, 902 wounded, and 335 pris- 
oners and missing. 

The total loss of Gen. Hancock's brigade, attached to 
Gen. Sumner's command, was 31. Notwithstanding this fact, 
the first New York newspapers which reached us after the 
battle, purchased at the expense of more than one-half day's 
pay of a private soldier, contained the brief, official account 
of the Commander-in-Chief, who was misled into writing, — 

" The battle of Williamsburg has been fought; it is a victory ! Hancock 
is superb ! " 

And not one word of mention of Gen. Hooker and his 
division ! 

The regiment slept on the battle field at night, and next 
day encamped in the suburbs of Williamsburg. During our 
few days' stay here, details were furnished to guard prisoners, 
hospitals, and public buildings. 

Gen. Hooker issued an order, thanking his command for 
their bravery, and telling them that they were whipped three 
times during the battle, but did not know it. 

The following official document will show how the news 
was received by our friends at home : — 

Adjutant-General's Office, 
Boston, May 19, 1862. 

Col. Blaisdell, Eleventh Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers: 

Colonel, — It makes every Massachusetts man feel prouder than ever of 
the old Commonwealth as he reads of the brave deeds of our Massachu- 
setts regiments. 

The conduct of Eleventh Regiment at the battle of WilHamsburg was 
gallant in the extreme, and His Excellency Gov. Andrew tenders to your- 



34 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

self, your officers, and your men, his warmest congratulations and his 
sincere thanks for their bravery and good conduct on that terrible day. 
As a small recognition of their valor. His Excellency has ordered a new- 
regimental color * to be made and forwarded to the regiment. 
Respectfully yours, 

William Schouler, 

Adjutant- General. 



CHAPTER VI. 

ON THE MARCH, FAIR OAKS, SAVAGE's STATION, GLENDALE, 
MALVERN HILL, AND HARRISON's LANDING. 

THE advance of the troops from Williamsburg toward 
Richmond, sixty miles away, was extremely slow. On 
May 30, twenty-five days after the battle, the division form- 
ing the left wing of the army was encamped at Poplar Hill, 
near Oakbottom Swamp, which was thirteen miles from the 
rebel capital. 

Early on the morning of May 31, Gen. Hooker marched 
to Fair Oaks, a distance of five miles, taking with him the 
Sickles and Jersey brigades, he having received word that 
Gen. Casey's division was engaged in battle at that point. 
Our brigade was left at Poplar Hill, with the order to " hold 
your ground, at all hazards." The brigade joined the 
troops at Fair Oaks on the evening of June 3, and at once 
relieved Sickles' brigade, in the midst of a drenching rain, 
performing picket duty for the next twenty-four hours. 

The division was here encamped until June 29, performing 
picket duty by brigades every third day. When not on picket 
duty, details were furnished for the building of earthworks 
and other labor on the defences. Much sickness prevailed 
at this place on account of the swampy nature of the ground, 
bad water, and severe duty. It was a frequent saying that 

*The new colors were sent on in July, 1862, and the old ones which had been so bravely 
borne in ten hard-fought fields, were returned and deposited at the State House. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 35 

we could not get a breath of pure air, a drink of good water, 
or a sound night's rest. 

Our camp was so near the rebel line that we were under 
fire much of the time, and extra heavy firing on the picket 
line often called out all the troops in camp. The Sixteenth 
Massachusetts Regiment joined us in June, and soon after, 
while on reconnoisance, came very near bringing on an en- 
gagement, the rest of the brigade being called to their 
support. 

On June 25, the Third Corps was ordered to advance its 
picket line, and at 7 p. m. we moved forward, through the 
woods and swamp, about one th'rd of a mile, driving in the 
rebel pickets, without much loss. 

We formed our line on reaching a large, open field. A 
large body of rebel reserves from Richmond, about five miles 
away, came up the Yorktown road, which ran across the field, 
marching at double-quick. When they struck the " corn 
poppers," as the Catling guns of the Sickles brigade were 
termed, and had received a few volleys from the regiments on 
the right and left, the reserves melted away, but few of the 
red shirts returning to Richmond. 

Details furnished by our regiment for special duty reported 
to Gen. Kearney that a large body of rebels was moving in 
front of his division, which was on the left of our line. This 
information came none too soon, for the division was actively 
engaged within twenty minutes thereafter. The attack was 
repulsed, with severe loss to the enemy, the contest ending at 
about five o'clock p. m. Our troops held the ground we had 
been ordered to take, we being relieved at about midnight, 
when the division returned to the rifle pits. The first of the 
"seven days' battle " before Richmond had been fought on 
the left with successful result, and the position thus gained 
was intrenched. 

On the 26th of June all was excitement. There was a 



36 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

general movement all along the line. The right of our forces 
was engaged at Mechanicsville and Gaines' Mill on the 27th. 

On the 28th, the corps was withdrawn from the position 
taken on the 25th, and preparations were made for the 
"change of base." 

Rations for six days and one hundred extra cartridges 
were issued ; extra stores that could not be transported in 
the baggage wagons were destroyed, and on the morning of 
June 29 we fell back to the vicinity of Savage's Station. 

The first position of the regiment after leaving Fair Oaks 
was on a small hill near the railroad, not far from Savage's 
Station. Just before noon the rebel artillery opened fire, 
without warning, from the woods on the south side of the 
railroad. After a spirited contest, almost entirely confined 
to the artillery, the attack was repulsed, and Sumner's corps 
was enabled to retire in good order. 

Early in the afternoon, the division fell back to Savage's 
Station, and after a short halt, by a rapid movement, crossed 
the Whiteoak Swamp, and at top. m. bivouacked in a field 
near the Charles City road. The brigade continued its march^ 
and at about noon rested near the church at Glendale. 

During the forenoon of the 30th long trains of wagons and 
herds of cattle had been passing over the road, while an 
active cannonading in the neighborhood of the bridge at 
Whiteoak Swamp gave evidence that the enemy was closely 
following our army. 

The divisions of Hill and Longstreet advanced in the after- 
noon over the Newmarket road from Richmond, making in- 
cessant efforts to break through our lines at this point. Our 
brigade was ordered to the support of a battery, Gen. McCall's 
command, the Pennsylvania reserves, which had sustained 
the brunt of the attack, being hard pressed and falling back. 
We double-quicked into our new position on their left, amid 
the din of the musketry and cannonade, the yells of the 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 37 

rebels as they made their desperate assaults, and the hurrahs 
of the Union soldiers as these were successively repulsed. 
This babel of sound did not cease until long after sundown. 
We were assisted about 5 p. m. by our gunboats on the James 
River, which threw shells into the rebel ranks on the left of 
the line. 

Our regiment held a road which the enemy had entered in 
the afternoon, and captured many prisoners who attempted 
escape by the same road. We held our position throughout 
the night, marching early in the morning tow^ard Malvern 
Hill, without sleep or rest. 

July I the division was assigned to a position upon the left 
centre. The hostile batteries opened from a road at about a 
mile's distance, concentrating their fire upon the brigade as 
it was marching toward this point, at a few minutes after nine 
o'clock A. M. The history of the day may be summarized as 
a succession of desperate and reckless onsets upon various 
parts of the line, in which Lee was invariably unsuccessful, 
his legions being slaughtered by the artillery, including the 
siege guns and those upon the monitors. The Union loss 
was small, the infantry being rarely engaged at close action. 

July 2 the army marched to Harrison's Landing and estab- 
lished temporary camps. The lines were fixed two days after- 
wards and the men were engaged in the construction of rifie 
pits and redoubts during the month. The heat was excessive, 
though thousands availed themselves of the privilege of 
bathing in the James River. The division, with a brigade of 
cavalry, under the command of Gen. Hooker, moved in the 
direction of Malvern Hill on the night of Aug. 2, but on ac- 
count of a blunder of the guides returned to the camp about 
sunrise without accomplishing the object of the expedition. 

On Aug. 4, another attempt was made which resulted in the 
capture of one hundred rebels. Having achieved success the 
force returned to its camp at the landing, Aug. 7. The stores 



38 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

and sick were sent upon transports to Fortress Monroe. On 
the 15th, the Third Corps left Harrison's Landing, marching 
via Williamsburg to Yorktown. On the 21st, they embarked, 
sailing up the Potomac to Washington. 



CHAPTER VH. 

BRISTOW STATION, SECOND BULL RUN, CENTREVILLE, 
CHANTILLY, AND ALEXANDRIA. 

ON the 25th of August, the division left Alexandria and 
was packed into cattle cars and started to open the 
Orange and Alexandria railroad. We arrived at Warrenton 
Junction at midnight, and on the 26th a regular camp was 
laid out near this place. 

At four o'clock a. isl, of the 27th, orders were received to 
hold ourselves in readiness to start at a moment's notice, and 
shortly afterward, the division took the line of march f. r 
Catlett's Station. 

Near Bristow Station we came upon the enemy. The 
rebels, under the command of "Stonewall" Jackson, had 
done much damage at this point, previous to our arrival ; 
bridges had been destroyed, and over one hundred baggage 
cars with their valuable contents were in flames. The sud- 
den onset of Gen. Hooker was unexpected by Jackson. The 
forces were engaged for about two hours, when the rebels 
retreated in hot haste, falling back to Manassas Junction 
during the next day, and subsequently forming in line of 
battle upon the old field of Bull Run. 

On the 28th, a portion of Gen. Pope's troops marched by 
the division. We followed them along the Hne of the rail- 
road, halting at night, and moving from the bivouac at two 
o'clock on the morning of the 29th. An hour after sunrise 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 39 

we stood upon the heights of Centreville, thence continuing 
our march to Bull Run. About two miles from the field we 
were met by some five hundred exchanged prisoners, many 
of whom had been captured within a few days. 

The position of the Confederate troops in front of our 
brigade was one of great natural strength, the line being 
posted behind an unfinished railroad embankment which 
formed a very substantial breastwork, this being supported, 
as we subsequently ascertained, by two other lines. 

Thus the army of Northern Virginia was most advanta- 
geously placed under the skilled leadership of Gen. Lee and 
his able coadjutor, Gen. Jackson. 

Our brigade, under the command of Gen. Grover, con- 
sisted of the First, Eleventh, and Sixteenth Massachusetts, 
Second New Hampshire, and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania. 

On our arrival on the field of action, the brigade took the 
position assigned to it, upon the slope of a hill, to support a 
battery which was attached to Seigel's corps ; the rebels 
opened fire at about 3 p. m. on our battery, and shortly after 
an aide from Gen. Seigel brought orders to Gen. Grover, 
when, 'midst shot and shell, our brigade marched towards the 
right of the line, and halted on the border of a thick forest, 
in which many skirmishes had taken place. After fifteen 
minutes' delay for our support to reach us, we were ordered in 
without the promised reserves. 

Every man in the brigade realized the desperate nature of 
the undertaking, but, unflinchingly, the line moved forward 
through the belt of woods that intervened, and soon entered 
the open space in front of the Confederate position. 

At that instant the enemy's skirmishers opened a scattering 
fire, which continued at intervals until the position was car- 
ried. The brigade moved gallantly forward, storming the 
defences, and leaving the ground behind literally covered 
with their dead and wounded, swarmed over the embankment 



40 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

with such impetuosity as to hurl the Confederates back, and 
broke through the second line, when they found themselves 
confronted by a murderous discharge from a third line of 
fresh troops, strongly posted, and were subjected to a de- 
structive fire which compelled them to retire with the loss of 
nearly half their number. 

Referring to the action of the brigade at this fiercely-con- 
tested battle, Gen. Heintzelman said, — 

" It was on this occasion that Gen. Grover's brigade made the most 
gallant and determined bayonet charge of the war. It broke two of the 
enemy's lines, but was finally repulsed by the overwhelming numbers of 
the rebel third line. It was a liand-to-hand conflict, using the bayonet 
and butt of the musket. In this fierce encounter of not over twenty min- 
utes, the First, Eleventh, and Sixteenth Massachusetts, Second New Hamp- 
shire, and Twenty-Sixth Pennsylvania were engaged." 

Gen. Grover, after detailing the positions of the enemy 
and of his own troops, goes on to say, — 

"At 3 p. M., I received an order to advance in line of battle over this 
ground, pass the embankment, enter the edge of the woods beyond, and 
hold it. Dispositions for carrying out this order were immediately made; 
pieces were loaded, bayonets fixed, and instructions given to move slowly 
upon the enemy until we felt its fire, then close upon him rapidly, fire one 
well-directed volley, and rely upon the bayonet to secure the position on 
the other side. 

" We rapidly and firmly pressed upon the embankment, and here 
occurred a short, sharp, and obstinate hand-to-hand conflict with bayonets 
and clubbed muskets. Many of the enemy were bayonetted in their 
tracks, others struck down with butts of pieces, and onward pressed the 
line. In a few yards it met a terrible fire from a second line, which in its 
turn broke. The third line now bore down upon our thinned ranks, in 
close order, and swept back the right centre and a portion of our left. . . . 
The weight of the enemy's line caused the necessity of falling back, first to 
the embankment, and then to our first position, behind which we rallied 
to our colors. Though forced to retire from the field by the immensely 
superior numbers of the enemy, supported by artillery and natural 
strength of position, the men never fought more gallantly and efficiently." 

Col. William Blaisdell, in his report of the action, says, — 

" It was near the railroad embankment that the brave Tileston, Stone, 
Porter, and other gallant men received their mortal wounds. The officers 
and men of the regiment had fought with the most desperate bravery; 
not a man flinched ; the loss was proportionately severe. Two hundred 
and eighty-three men participated in the fight." 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 4I 

This disastrous battle erded with the Union army holding 
the defences of Washington, having suffered the loss of 25 
cannon, millions of dollars' worth of stores and material, and 
15,000 killed, wounded, and missing men. A large number 
of the wounded remained for three days upon the places 
where they fell, without shelter of any kind. 

The loss of the Eleventh Regiment in this action was : 
killed, iq; wounded, 77 ; missing, 25; total, 112. 

As a recompense for our severe loss, we had won imper- 
ishable honor, inflicted a severe loss upon the rebels includ- 
ing the wounding and temporary retiring of Gen. Ewell, who 
lost a leg in this engagement, and quenched the ardor of 
many a Confederate who had not formerly appreciated the 
valor of Massachusetts troops. 

Next morning our decimated brigade was again in readi- 
ness for action. Nothing took place until about 4 p. m., 
when some heavy fighting occurred on our left, the volleys of 
musketry resounding for hours. Our brigade acted as a 
reserve to support the various batteries, at one time occupy- 
ing our old position on the Leesburg road, which we had held 
at the first battle of Bull Run. Desultory firing, with occa- 
sional brief skirmishes, prevailed throughout the day, and 
at sundown the brigade retired to Centreville, where they 
bivouacked for the night. 

CENTREVILLE, CHANTILLY. 

The army rested upon the heights of Centreville during 
the two following days, enjoying the comfort of the barracks 
which had been occupied by Johnston's forces during the 
winter of 1861-62, while the enemy showed no inclination 
to storm the works which they had constructed for their own 
protection. 

It having been reported that the rebel army had flanked 
our position and were occupying Chantilly, Generals Kearney, 



42 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

Hooker, and Reno were ordered to that point, but a few 
miles away. The Union forces were successful, after a short 
engagement, in securing the line of retreat toward Alexandria 
and Washington. It was in this engagement that Gen. Phil, 
Kearney was killed. His close association with our division 
in the peninsular campaign had so much endeared him to us 
that we all regarded it as a personal loss. 

Sept. 3 the regiment arrived at Alexandria, where they 
were employed upon the defences around Washington, being 
encamped for a few days at Fort Lyons, after which we were 
removed to Fairfax Seminary. 

Gen. Hooker having been appointed to the command of 
McDowell's old corps, the command of our division devolved 
upon Gen. Sickles ; but though our new commander was 
deservedly popular with his men, the division still proudly 
bore the old cognomen, and continued to be known as 
" Hooker's Division." 

At the same time, the brigade lost its commanding officer, 
Gen. Grover being appointed to a more important command 
in another department. 

We remained at this camp until the ist of November, when 
we broke camp and marched to Manassas, which we occu- 
pied on Nov. 3. The division was broken up into detach- 
ments, and «-cattered along the line of the railroad, guarding 
the most important points. 

On the 7th, a part of the brigade, under the command of 
Col. Blaisdell, marched to Bristow Station and bivouacked 
for the night in the first snow-storm of the season. The next 
day we pushed on to Warrington Junction, remaining here 
for several days, during which time Gen. Hooker passed 
through on the train and was received with loud cheers. 

On the 1 8th, we started on our march for Falmouth, and 
after marching for three days in the rain, reached Wolf Ford 
on the Occoquan. We waded through this stream next 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 43 

morning, nearly waist deep, encamping on the liill on the 
other side, Nov. 21. After a few days' halt here, the march 
was continued, and we arrived at Falmouth on the 28th. 

It was in November that Gov. Andrew issued a circular 
letter to the commanding officers, asking for an expression of 
opinion regarding the merits of the Massachusetts regiments, 
batteries, etc., under their respective commands. In re- 
sponse, Gen. Grover sent the following letter : — 

On Board Steamer " North Star," 

Banks' Expedition, Dec. 8, 1862. 
To His Excellency, the Go^'ERNOR of Massachusetts : 

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a circular letter 
from the Executive Department of the State of Massachusetts, bearing 
date, Nov. 7, 1862. 

In reply thereto, and as an act of justice to those noble regiments, the 
First, Eleventh, and Sixteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, which I had the 
honor to command during the peninsular campaign, I beg leave to state 
that for soldierly bearing and bravery in the held they have been every- 
where conspicuous, and have, on every occasion which has come under my 
notice, done honor to the State. . . . 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

C CiKOVEis., Brigadier- Genera I of Volunteers. 

While Gen. Heintzelman returned answer as follows : — 

Headquarters, Defences of Washington, 

Washington, Dec. 17, 1862. 
His Excellency, Gov. John A. x^ndrew, Boston, Mass.: 

Governor, — I have had under my command, during the campaign on 
the peninsula and the short campaign with Gen. Pope, in the army of 
Virginia, the First Massachusetrs, Col. Cowdin, Eleventh Massachusetts, 
Col. Blaisdell, and the Sixteenth Massachusetts, Col. Wyman. 

The First and Eleventh Massachusetts Regiments, under the command 
of Brig.-Gen. C. Grover, were engaged in the siege of Yorktown, and in 
the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Glendale, and ^Malvern Hill on the 
Peninsula, and in Gen. Pope's army, in those of Kettle Run, Bull Run, and 
Chantilly. 

In Glendale, Col. Wyman was killed gallantly leading his regiment. 

In all those actions these regiments behaved with distinguished success, 
and the State has reason to be proud of them. They have carried her 
white flag with the foremost. 

You have no doubt received reports of colonels. . . . The State of 
Massachusetts has been reaping the benefit of her organization. 

I have the honor to be, Governor, 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

S. P. Heintzelman, Major-General. 



44 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

FALMOUTH, FREDERICKSBURG AND THE BATTLE OF CHAN- 

CELLORSVILLE. 

/~\UR camp at this place was in the midst of some short 
^^ pines, and the regular routine of camp duty was 
resumed. New regiments were constantly arriving, and the 
army expected each day to be ordered to break camp and go 
into battle ; we could not help feeling that with the whole 
Army of the Potomac concentrated at this point and Gen. 
Lee's army re-enforced just across the Rappahannock, at 
Fredericksburg, that a battle on a large scale was about to 
take place. Orders were received on the evening of Dec. lo 
to furnish every man with sixty rounds of ammunition and 
rations for three days. The report of two cannons at 5.30 
A. M. on the nth broke the quietness of the camp ; and the 
same sounds, succeeded by a volley of musketry, were heard 
fifteen minutes afterwards. These were the guns that opened 
the battle of Fredericksburg. Near the ruins of the railroad 
bridge, the engineers had built one of pontoons, which 
extended two thirds of the distance across the river ; but the 
canister of the enemy prevented them from finishing it at 
that time. The division marched at daybreak toward the 
point, and one hundred and forty-three pieces of artillery 
were placed in position on the bluffs, while most of the 
infantry were concealed in the woods and ravines. The fire 
of the batteries on the left and the forlorn hope upon the 
right triumphed over all obstacles, and the bridges at Deep 
Run were finished at noon, while those at Fredericksburg were 
completed three hours later. One hundred thousand infan- 
try and a large force of cavalry and artillery debouched from 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 45 

these two points of crossing, which were three miles apart, 
and formed in line of battle. There was no righting on that 
day between large bodies of troops, although the skirmishers 
were actively engaged and cannonading was sometimes brisk. 
The division was held in reserve upon the 12th, but at noon 
it marched down to the left, and halted for the night ; but 
our regiment received orders for special service at 9.30 p. m., 
and crossed the river upon a bridge composed of sixteen 
pontoons, which it was required to guard. It was noon on 
the 13th before the battle was opened, and the history of that 
afternoon would be aptly written in the blood of the gallant 
soldiers who assaulted the impregnable works upon the right, 
and defied death at the stone wall, the heights, and the mill 
race. Our batteries commenced shelling the forest on the 
left of the line of battle, and at i p. m. the ceaseless roll of 
musketry burst forth for the first time during the movement. 
Our regiment was left on duty at the bridge all day, and was 
not relieved until midnight, when we rejoined the division. 
The skirmishers commenced to fire at daylight on the morn- 
ing of the 14th, the sharpshooters firing over the heads of the 
men upon the plain. A battery opened upon the brigade at 
daybreak, but was promptly silenced by the Second New 
Hampshire sharpshooters. 

The rebels worked after sunset on the 13th, 14th, and 15th, 
felling trees and erecting breastworks until morning, but no 
disposition to further engage was manifested on either side. 
The weather was favorable for a retreat, the sky being over- 
cast, and the divisions succeeded in regaining their old camps 
undistubed by a single shot. 

Torrents of rain fell on the i6th, but the fast gathering 
mud came too late to impede our progress. We had been 
repulsed, and the Confederate forces held the contested field, 
with a large amount of material which had been left in the 
town in the hurry of recrossing the river. 



46 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

The ordinary routine of camp duty continued until Jan. 20, 
when the division left camp and marched about two miles to 
Falmouth, returning in the evening. On the 21st, the 
division marched six miles in the direction of the fords. On 
the 23d, the troops returned to the camps, and Gen. Burnside 
was relieved of the command of the army, thus terminating 
the famous "mud campaign." 

Gen. Hooker succeeded Gen. Burnside, and many reforms 
were immediately inaugurated. The organization of the 
army in three grand divisions was abolished and the system 
of corps badges was established, the glorious old diamond 
being the emblem of the I'hird Corps. 

Rain, mud, and picket duty diversified the experiences of 
our winter quarters until Feb. 26, when the entire Second 
New Hampshire Regiment returned home upon furlough. 
With few interruptions this condition of affairs continued 
until April 27, 1863, when for the fourth time we broke up 
our encampments at Falmouth. 

The Union army, under Gen. Hooker, consisting of one 
hundred and twenty- five thousand men of all arms, with four 
hundred cannons, were in the latter part of April, 1863, 
encamped near the Rappahannock River. It had been re- 
organized by its commander, and was pronounced " the finest 
army on the planet." 

On April 27, at midnight, the first, third, and sixth corps 
concentrated near Deep Run, the remaining corps passing in 
the direction of the upper fords. The pontoon guard placed 
their bridge of boats and succeeded in capturing the rebel 
force detailed to guard the river. Two divisions were deployed 
in line of battle upon the opposite bank. Rain prevailed 
during the 29th, and a dense fog obscured the scene on the 
morning of the 30th. At noon. Gen. Berry and the third 
corps, under Gen. Sickels, advanced, and bivouacked near 
Hartwood Church at midnight. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 4/ 

The corps was in motion May i, crossing the stream at 
United Stales Ford; May 2, at 7.30 a.m., an advance was 
made, and at 5 p. m. it was reported that the rebel line was 
forming. 

About 4 p. M., Jackson's advance fell upon the Eleventh 
Corps, breaking their line and scattering them to ihe rear. 
The division formed in the woods upon the plank road, and 
succeeded in checking Jackson's impetuous advance. 

On the 3d, the enemy turned our left, driving our men 
through the forest. The brigade rallied in the open field near 
the Chancellor House, which was fired by Lee's artillery. 
At 9 A. M., the brigade was aligned upon the road to the 
United States Ford. The infantry fire ceased at 10 a. m., 
the enemy holding their acquired position. 

On May 4, there was considerable picket firing, but no 
movement of the brigade. On the 5th, the skirmishers were 
hotly engaged during an intense fog. At night there was a 
drenching rain, and the waters of the river were so swelled 
as to endanger our pontoons. The brigade evacuated their 
bivouac at 3 a. m. on the 6th, and recrossed the pontoons at 
daybreak. 

Wearied, footsore, and disheartened, the men marched 
through the unceasing rain, and regained the old camps. 
The fall of Jackson, during this engagement, saved the 
Union forces from a grave disaster. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE MARCH TO GETTYSBURG AND THE BATTLE. 

TT was known that Lee was massing his troops, as that wily 
^ commander was aware that the term of enlistment of many 
of our short term men was about expired, and every indica- 



48 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

tion pointed to an immediate and thoroughly organized 
attack. 

On the 3d of June, two divisions of Lee's army had marched 
to Culpepper Court House. The pontoon bridge was thrown 
across Deep Run on the 6th, and we crossed for the third 
time, receiving the fire of the enemy's artillery, which was 
posted upon the bank. 

On the 12th, the division marched, under the broiling sun, 
suffering intensely, many of the men being sunstruck. The 
brigade was relieved by the cavalry on the evening of the 
14th, when we marched to Catlett's Station, arriving at 7.10 
on the morning of the 15th, after marching all night. At 
8.40 A. M., we started again, bivouacking at a point near 
Manassas Junction at midnight. The troops remained station- 
ary during the i6th, moved a short distance on the 17th and 
1 8th, bivouacking at Gum Spring at 10 p. m. 

After a march of eighteen hours, we crossed the Potomac 
at Edward's Ferry, and bivouacked after midnight, having 
covered twenty-nine miles. This harassing advance continued 
until the 30th of June, when we bivouacked at Bridgeport. 

On July I, we reached Emmettsburg, and at 4 p. m. started 
on the road to Gettysburg, but finding that we were entering 
a veritable hornet's nest the division retraced its steps, forded 
Willoughby's Run, and bivouacked upon the plains at 2.30 
A. M., July 2 

The retirement of Gen. Hooker and the appointment of 
Gen. Meade was received by the troops with universal ex- 
pressions of disappointment and disapproval. Our old and 
tried commander was thus displaced by a general regarding 
whose ability we had no knowledge, at the outset of a strug- 
gle with the flower of the Confederate army under their most 
efficient and experienced commander. 

With daybreak came a realization of the imminency of the 
impending struggle. Already the road over which we had 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 49 

marched was occupied by the enemy. Both sides engaged in 
the grim work of preparation, and at 3 p. m. the corps ad- 
vanced its line about half a mile. At 3.45 p. m., a rebel bat- 
tery opened fire upon the brigade with solid shot. The main 
contest began upon the left, Longstreet attempting to gain 
the height of Roundtop, which was defended by a battery at 
the very summit. 

Our skirmishers notified us that the rebels were massins: 
their brigades for an assault upon our position ; we had no 
breastworks, but made ready for a determined resistance. 
The batteries and infantry upon the extreme left were drawn 
in toward the centre, and were moving half a mile in our rear. 
We knew by the yells of the foe and the occasional dropping 
of a bullet that their line was on the advance. Our skir- 
mishers fell back. The rebel line rapidly advanced, and our 
left was forced back. Heavy masses of infantry supported 
the attack, and our men were forced slowly backward, until 
the serious loss and weariness of the foe brought the oppor- 
tunity which was promptly availed of by the second corps, 
which, aided by the concentrated fire of the batteries in our 
rear, attacked their left flank and succeeded in checking their 
movement. The remnant of the brigade rallied and pursued 
the enemy for half a mile, capturing several hundred prisoners 
and recapturing some of our abandoned guns. As a result 
of this bloody day's work ten thousand dead and wounded 
men were lying upon the open ground, not three quarters of 
a mile square. At 10 p. m. we halted for the night at a point 
about a mile in the rear of the battle field, to which we had 
been ordered. With half our division disabled, we passed 
the night after the second day's battle behind the hastily con- 
structed breastworks. 

The old Third Corps, under its gallant general, Sickles, 
bore the brunt of this terrible conflict, and their bravery and 
steadiness saved Little Roundtop, the key to the situatioii, 



50 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

and, as a consequence, the day, making possible the action 
of the morrow, and converting defeat into victory. 

Maj.-Gen. Sickles was severely wounded in the leg during 
this brilliant action, necessitating amputation, but the Old 
Third had added another to its many hardly-won laurels. 

At half past three on the morning of July 3, the enemy 
opened an artillery fire upon our lines. The division marched 
to the rear at eight o'clock, grounding their arms in the woods. 
For a time an ominous silence prevailed, but at about one 
o'clock the enemy opened with a concentrated fire of all their 
batteries. 

The division was double-quicked to the front to support 
the advance in the earthworks. Our lines were formed at 
half past three and held the ground, repulsing the assault of 
the enemy, Pickett's division being nearly annihilated by the 
fierce artillery fire of the Union batteries. 

Pickett's advance, at the head of fifteen thousand picked 
troops, was a gallant effort, Lee undoubtedly recognizing the 
fact that upon the success of this assault depended the 
fortunes of the day. 

The advance was in close column, in the face of the con- 
centrated fire of our batteries and successive volleys of 
musketry. The ground was strewed with their dead, and 
great gaps were torn in their ranks, yet they kept on, and 
were soon engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with our 
veterans. 

With their repulse the battle of Gettysburg had been 
fought and won, and the turning point had been reached in 
the contest between those who sought to destroy and the 
gallant hearts who had taken up arms to preserve the Union. 

Fifty thousand men were numbered as killed, wounded, or 
missing, on both sides, during this terrible three-days' battle. 

Details were sent out on the morning of the 4th to bury 
the dead and succor the wounded, many of the latter having 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 5 1 

remained upon the field for nearly forty-eight hours. As 
provisions were scanty in the field hospitals, the soldiers 
liberally contributed from their rations for the relief of these 
sufferers. 

The Confederate forces commenced their retreat on the 
night of the 4th, abandoning their earthworks and leaving 
their wounded behind them. 

The Union cavalry started in the pursuit and captured 
the trains of the fieeing enemy, and the occupants of the 
deserted farmhouses returned to their homes, or to what the 
fortunes of war had left of them. 

In his " Three Years upon the Potomac" Capt. Blake says 
in his summary of the battle, — 

" When all the facts attending this battle are fully understood, the histo- 
rian will award the highest praise to the courage of the rank and tile and 
the skill of the subordinate officers, and ascribe to Gen. Meade a very 
small degree of the honor for this decisive triumph. The conflict of July 
I was fought during his absence; the First Corps captured a large number 
of prisoners; but the death of the accomplished Gen. Reynolds, and the 
reinforcements which arrived for the foe, enabled Ewell to force the Union 
troops from their position, and drive them through the streets of Gettys- 
burg. Gen. Howard had posted a division of the Eleventh Corps in 
reserve at Cemetery Hill, and this officer, assisting Gen. Hancock, who 
had the sole command, together with Generals Warren, Buford, and 
others, who noticed the great natural strength of the ridge, formed the 
divisions of the various corps upon the right and left of it; and thus the 
wise selection of the battle field, a matter of the highest importance, which 
requires the exercise of the finest military judgment, was the result of a 
defeat. A part of this line, which these brilliant officers established while 
the commander of the army was several miles in the rear, was changed 
upon the 2d by Gen. Sickles, without any orders; and the enemy for two 
days vainly assailed the gallant forces that held the original ground. Dur- 
ing the gigantic struggle. Gen. Meade neither attacked the rebels nor 
pursued them, when they were completely shattered and had fled in confu- 
sion, but acted solely upon the defensive; and his able subordinates and 
their brave soldiers sowed, while he reaped, the harvest of martial glory 
which was produced by their successful labors upon the plains of Gettys- 
burg." 

And the veterans of the Eleventh smile knowingly as they 
recall the perils of the bloody day, and memory brings to 
them many pictures in w^hich figure a scrap of white flannel, 
cut in the shape of a diamond. 



52 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE PURSUIT OF LEE, AND BRANDY STATION. 

GEN. LEE, with his shattered hordes, rapidly retreated 
toward the Potomac, followed by our army. 

We had received large reinforcements of new troops until 
we had actually more men attached to the Army of the Poto- 
mac than before the battle. One entire new division was 
added to our corps, composed of new regiments, and forming 
the largest division in the corps. 

Our cavalry was constantly pouncing down upon the wagon 
trains of the rebels, and a portion of Lee's pontoon train, 
invaluable to him in crossing the Potomac, was captured and 
destroyed. 

Over the hills and through the beautiful valleys of Mary- 
land the army pressed in the pursuit ; our division passed 
through Emmettsburg, and Frederick City, over many por- 
tions of the Antietam battle field, and on the 12th, with the 
entire army of the Potomac, confronted Lee at Williamsport. 

On this day, Gen. Meade issued an order which was read 
at the head of each regiment, that he was about to attack the 
enemy, with every prospect of success. 

Notwithstanding, the 12th and 13th passed by, and when 
we did advance we found Lee far away on the road to Rich- 
mond. 

On the 17th, the division crossed the Potomac at Harper's 
Ferry. From here we passed through " Pleasant Valley," 
well named, and camped for two days at Ashby's Gap, upon 
the broad fields of Upperville. 

On Thursday, the 23d, we passed through Manassas 
Gap, a pass, several miles in length, and our division was 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 53 

engaged in a sharp encounter at Wapping Heights, near 
the western entrance of the pass, where the rebels were 
posted in considerable force, in strong defensive positions. 
Although the battle was fought under the greatest of diffi- 
culties, by nightfall, we were again victorious and the rebels 
had fallen back to Front Royal, where we advanced early 
next morning. The rebels fell back again, and the next day 
we marched fifteen miles, passing through the pleasant village 
of Salem, and early on the morning of the 26th arrived at 
Warrington, and after a number of marches encamped at 
Beverly Ford, Aug. i, where the regular routine of camp 
duty was resumed. The regiment had marched four hundred 
and ten miles, from June 11 to Aug. i, and seldom biv- 
ouacked two successive nights on the same ground, and the 
rest at Beverly Fords was desirable. 

Aug. II, the camps witnessed an affecting spectacle, when 
the officers and men of Kearney's and Hooker's divisions of 
the Third Corps contributed their pay for one day to purchase 
for Gen. Sickles, their gallant and disabled commander, a car- 
riage, horses, and harness, as an expression of their respect. 

Aug. 23, a squad of two hundred substitutes were assigned 
to our regiment, many of whom came from New York ; and 
although they increased the number on our rolls, they did 
not prove of much efficient benefit to the fighting strength of 
our regiment, as shown by the adjutant-general's report. 

Aug. 29, will be long remembered from the fact that five 
bounty jumpers were shot in the Fifth Corps, the Third 
Corps being present as spectators. None of the old veterans 
questioned but the action would have a good effect. 

Sept. 16, the corps left camp, forded the Rappahannock, 
which was knee deep, and subsequently Hazle Run, hip 
deep, and, the enemy having retreated south of the Rapidan, 
the regiment went into camp on the 17th, about a mile in the 
rear of Culpepper Court House. 



54 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

Our position remained unchanged until Oct. 8, when the 
division marched to James City to support Kilpatrick's Cav- 
alry. On the Toth a brisk skirmish occupied the afternoon. 
On the nth, we crossed the river, the respective forces en- 
gaging in a race for the same objective point. We were 
stationed at Beverly Ford on the 12th, behind our old earth- 
works. The division marched all day on the 13th, rested at 
Greenwich for two hours, and resumed its march at daybreak. 
At 2 p. M., the lines of battle were formed upon the heights 
of Centreville. 

The corps were acting as the left wing on the 15th, the 
division proceeding to Union Mills. The division finally 
encamped, Oct. 30, near Bealeton. On the morning of Nov. 
7, we advanced in two columns, the corps arriving at Kelly's 
Ford at 3 p. m,, the division finally going into camp in the 
quarters formerly occupied by EwelTs brigades. 

Nov. 23, orders were given for an advance, but were subse- 
quently countermanded. On the 26th, we abandoned our 
camps taking position on the right of our forces, the brigade 
in the advance. The troops crossed the river at 3 p. m. and 
gained the new position, south of the Rapidan, without the 
loss of a man. 

On the 27th, we resumed our march, pushed on through 
the woods, and drove the rebel pickets far two miles, double- 
quicking at 2.30 p. M. to Locust Grove, where we had a 
brief skirmish, with a severe and profitless loss. 

On the 28th, the division retired from its position advanc- 
ing slowly over the Orange turnpike. On the 29th, we pre- 
pared for a battle at 4.30 a. m., but rain and darkness delayed 
the movement and we bivouacked for the night at nine 
o'clock. 

Nov. 30, 1863, the division was under arms at i a. m., with 
the avowed purpose of storming the rebel breastworks at 
Mine Run. At 8 a. m., the ranks were formed, but Gen. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 55 

Warren refused to give the order to advance, and the day 
passed without decisive action. 

Dec. I, the brigade reported to Gen. Gregg to support 
the cavah-y. At 2 a. m. of the 2d, the pickets were with- 
drawn from the front, and the main portion of the army 
marched by our bivouac during the night. At daybreak the 
brigade was again in motion, covered the retreat of cavalry, 
crossed the pontoon bridge at Gold Mine Ford, and reoccu- 
pied our old camps at Brandy Station, where we went into 
winter quarters. A demonstration was made Feb. 6, and 
another on the 28th, but no action of any importance took 
place. Our winter camp at Brandy Station was unusually 
gay. A chapel was built by the brigade where religious, 
temperance, and Masonic meetings were held. 

When the roads had again become suitable for the move- 
ment of troops, preparations were made for the opening of 
the campaign, Gen. Grant being in command of the Union 
forces, and having his headquarters at the front. 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE BATTLES OF THE WILDERNESS, SPOTTSYLVANIA AND 

COLD HARBOR. 

\1 /ITH the advent of Grant a system of aggressive opera- 
*' tion was immediately inaugurated. Successful in the 
West, he only accepted the responsibilities of leadership 
under the condition that his authority should be unrestricted 
and untrammeled. In order to carry out his projects he 
demanded that the full scope of the national resources 
should be placed at his disposal, and with these concessions 
and guarantees avowed his purpose to bring the war to a 
definite conclusion. 



56 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

Unlike some of his predecessors, Grant gave the strictest 
personal attention to every detail, establishing his headquar- 
ters at the scene of action, while with the most elaborate 
study of the situation he laid his plans, not dependent upon 
the tide of temporary success, but subservient to a fixed, 
determinate, and prearranged system with reference to the 
final result. 

His objective point was Richmond, — his expressed purpose 
to destroy the army of the Confederacy which had so long 
menaced the gallant veterans of the Army of the Potomac. 
Gen. Meade was in the immediate command of the army, 
while the Lieutenant-General, in command of the entire 
national force, directed the movement in the valley in 
unison with the operations of the various bodies throughout 
the national territory. 

Preparations were carried on with activity during March 
and April, and on the ist of May the Army of the Potomac, 
encamped at Culpepper, near the Rappahannock River, 
consisted of one hundred and twenty-one thousand men, with 
two hundred and seventy-four cannons. Allied with this 
splendid force was the Ninth Corps, under command of Gen. 
Burnside, encamped near Bristow's Station, with tw^enty-three 
thousand men and twenty-four pieces of artillery — a com- 
bined force of one hundred and forty-four thousand men and 
two hundred and ninety-eight guns. 

Gen. Lee, with the army of Northern Virginia, was en- 
camped, behind strong defences near Orange Court House, 
Gen. Longstreet's corps being within supporting distance at 
Gordonsville, about twelve miles away. 

At midnight of the 3d of May, the Union forces moved 
hastily, but quietly, across the Rapidan River, commencing 
the campaign which was destined to be the most vigorous, 
sanguinary, and decisive known to modern warfare. 

Whatever doubts might exist in the public mind as to the 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETJ S VOLUNTEERS. 57 

ability and sagacity of the Union leaders, they were not 
shared by the sagacious and hitherto invincible general of 
the Confederate forces, who, recognizing the conclusive 
nature of the coming series of combats, exhausted bold and 
audacious effort in the desperate attempt to stay the over- 
whelming adverse tide of aggressive, repeated, and decisive 
attack. 

On the morning of the 5th of May he advanced his veteran 
columns, marching by two parallel roads, to intersect the line 
of the Union advance and endeavor to break their continuity. 

The movement was so stealthily executed, that the 
Union forces were unprepared for the attack, which was 
precipitated with the utmost vigor. Our forces were im- 
merged in the intricacies of the forest wilds, in a situation 
most favorable for the operations of a force, guided by those 
familiar with the ground, while the difficulties of communica- 
tion and coherent manoeuvre embarrassed the Union leaders, 
who were thus engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle in which 
military skill and personal bravery were alike restricted to 
the immediate field of action. 

Thus was fought the battle of the Wilderness, a conflict 
most resolute and sanguinary, in which personal prowess 
and individual valor were to decide the momentous question 
of the destruction or the perpetuity of the Republic. 

Little or no artillery could be brought into the service. The 
roll of musketry was continuous, its fierce reverberation only 
being broken by the sharp cries of the wounded and the 
groans of the dying. 

As the waves of the sea, the extended lines of the adverse 
forces ebbed and flowed, while the gloom of the forest 
veiled the scene of carnage in every direction other than the 
immediate theatre of action, and men fought on, with the 
energy of despair, utterly ignorant of the fate of their breth- 
ren or the fortunes of the day. 



58 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

Sheer exhaustion brought the conflict to a close on the 
evening of the 6th, the opposing armies bivouacking in such 
close neighborhood that the muttered orders in the one camp 
could be partia ly distinguished in the other, and so the 
peace of night succeeded the dread carnage of the day. 

The loss on the Union side was in the vicinity of twenty- 
five thousand men. It w^ould fill a volume to relate the inci- 
dents of these two terrible days, when each man's vision was 
restricted to the immediate vicinity of his own participation ; 
but wherever blows fell hardest and thickest, and personal 
bravery found opportunity for exercise, the gallant Eleventh 
bore the brunt and the white diamond asserted its pre- 
eminence as a symbol of soldierly devotion. 

Both armies held their intrenched lines on the 7th of May, 
each awaiting an attack from the other, but neither appar- 
ently desirous to assume the offensive. Gens. Grant and 
Meade, satisfied that no permanent advantage commensurate 
with the woful loss of life was to be gained by repeating the 
struggle in the wilderness, issued orders for a movement to 
the left, in the direction of Spottsylvania Court House, in- 
tending to occupy that point, turn Gen. Lee's flank, and cut 
off his communications with Richmond in that direction. 

It was late in the evening when the Fifth Corps com- 
menced the execution of this movement, expecting to reach 
Spottsylvania Court House by daybreak on the 8lh. 

But the line of march was so obstructed by fallen trees, 
rocks, and other impediments as to render the roads impas- 
sable until they could be cleared, after the expenditure of 
much time and labor. 

Owing to this delay. Gen. Lee became fully apprised of the 
movement, and, discerning its object, he at once put a por- 
tion of his force in motion, succeeding in occupying the 
objective point before the arrival of the Union troops. 

Strong breastworks of logs and earth were hastily con- 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 59 

structed, these being protected by slashings and abatis at 
the front. Grant, finding that his skilful and wary adversary 
had interposed this formidable barrier to his advance upon 
Richmond, made his dispositions accordingly. 

On the 8th, the Fifth and Sixth Corps moved to the assault 
upon the newly constructed works, but the rebels succeeded 
in forcing them back, after a severe engagement, with severe 
loss. 

On the 9th, there was no heavy fighting, both armies being 
occupied in bringing up their forces, extending their lities, 
and intrenching their positions. Skirmishing, however, was 
continuous, the sharpshooters being watchful, and seizing 
every opportunity to cripple their opponents. 

The Confederate lines were assaulted several times during 
the following days by strong bodies of the Union troops, but 
not /withstanding the most determined and gallant effort they 
were invariably repulsed, with considerable loss. 

Lee's lines, extending in a half circle, with the flanks 
thrown back, were most judiciously disposed, presenting an 
almost insurmountable obstacle to attack. Near our centre, 
at the most advanced point of this line, a salient had been 
thrown forward, the apex of which was nearly a mile in 
advance of their main line, upon which its flanks rested. 

The obstinate and murderous struggles which look place 
at this point gave to it the soubriquet of the "Bloody Angle " 
in the relations of the sanguinary battle of the 12th of May. 
On the night of the nth and morning of the 12th a large 
body of troops, under the command of Gen. Hancock, were 
massed about four hundred yards in front of this apex. The 
Eleventh Regiment constituted a portion of the assaulting 
column. 

At about five o'clock in the morning the order to advance 
was given. The movement was silently and rapidly made 
through the wood to the open space in front of the breast- 



60 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

works of the enemy. Then, with a rush, the veteran columns 
of Hancock pressed up the slope, tore away the abatis, 
charged upon the Confederate lines, throwing them into 
confusion, and carried the works. They captured Gens. 
Johnston and Stuart, with their brigades, comprising four 
thousand men and twenty guns. 

As the troops poured into the works they became so inter- 
mingled that it was with extreme difficulty that any approach 
to regular formation could be preserved. 

Meanwhile, a desperate and deadly fire was maintained by 
both sides, until Gen. Gordon, at the head of a fresh body of 
Confederate troops, advanced to attack the Union soldiers. 
Falling upon that portion of the Second Corps who were 
within the "Angle," who had not yet recovered from the dis- 
order incident to their impetuous entrance into the works, he 
drove them back over the] breastworks, recapturing some of 
the guns, but was unable to force them back beyond the face 
of the fortifications. 

All through the remainder of the day, and until nearly 
dawn next morning, a furious hand-to-hand conflict raged 
for the holding of this position. The slaughter was terrible, 
the spectacle one of inexpressible horror. The dead and 
wounded lay in heaps, while the writhing bodies of the latter 
were torn and mutilated by the raking fire of artillery and 
musketry, or trampled upon by the frenzied combatants. It 
was a bitter struggle, both sides exhibiting the most deter- 
mined courage and tenacity. During the night the Confed- 
erates retired to their second line at the base of the salient. 

While the bloody contest was going on at the " Angle " the 
Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth corps made repeated charges upon 
the Confederate intrenchments, but their persistent effort and 
undaunted courage was without avail, being hurled back 
each time, with severe loss. 

All through the day the roar of the artillery and the con- 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 6 1 

tinual roll of musketry indicated the terrible carnage that was 
covering the field with the dying and the dead. 

On the 2oth, Gen. Grant, convinced of the hopelessness 
of the attempt to carry the works, abandoned the attack and 
moved by the left flank to the vicinity of the North Anna 
River, where he again encountered the rebel forces strongly 
intrenched. There were five encounters between the oppos- 
ing armies, continuing at intervals for several days. The en- 
gagements are summarized as the Battle of North Anna. 

On the 26th, the flanking movement was resumed, continu- 
ing, with occasional interruptions, when lively encounters 
relieved the monotony of the march, until the 31st, when the 
Eighteenth Corps, under the command of Gen. W. F. Smith 
and which had been temporarily detached from the Army of 
the James, then under the command of Gen. B. F. Butler, rein- 
forced the Army of the Potomac with fifteen thousand men 
and twenty pieces of artillery. 

Meanwhile, Gen. Lee, finding that his front was no longer 
menaced, commenced to move his army to a position more 
directly commanding the approach to the city of Richmond 
as well as more favorably situated for the comfort and con- 
venience of his command. His new position was north of 
the Chickahominy River in front of New Cold Harbor. 

Here, on the third day of June, was fought the battle of 
Cold Harbor, the last of the engagements on the line north 
of Richmond. 

On June 2, the two vast armies confronted each other. 
Both were strongly intrenched, Gen. Lee's position being one 
of great natural strength, evidencing his excellent judgment, 
materially aided by local familiarity. Heavy earthworks were 
constructed at the most prominent points the entire line, 
some six miles in length, being protected by breastworks, in 
front of which w^ere slashings and abatis. 

Every effort which skill and experience could suggest was 



62 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

exhausted, to render the line impregnable to successful 
assault. Nevertheless, Gen. Grant determined upon the 
attempt to carry them by storm. He issued the order for 
an attack all along the line, to be made at daybreak on the 
morning of the 3d. 

Behind these seemingly impassable works, nearly two hun- 
dred pieces of artillery were trained for direct or enfilading 
fire. Along the breastworks and in the rifle pits were fifty 
thousand resolute soldiers, prepared to offer most determined 
and obstinate resistance ; these veterans were the very flower 
of the Confederate army. 

The Union army comprised nearly one hundred thousand 
men, many of whom were veterans of three years' service, 
their term of enlistment having nearly expired. They had 
upheld the honor of the flag in many a well-contested field 
and could be relied on in any emergency. For patriotic 
fidelity, skill, and aptitude, the world had never known their 
superiors. 

The men of the Federal forces, promptly at the appointed 
time, surmounted their breastworks and rapidly formed in 
columns of attack. Over the heads of these sunburned vet- 
erans were proudly borne the tattered and battle-worn flags 
which were hallowed by memories of the dead and the sacri- 
fices of the living. 

As the signal sounded, the national army moved forward, 
their bayonets glistening beneath the first rays of morning 
light. The march was very rapid, the line, four miles in 
length, sweeping gallantly on, formed a magnificent and sub- 
lime spectacle. 

Suddenly, the fires flashed along the entire sweep of the 
Confederate guns, and the silence was broken by the roar of 
cannon, the rattle of musketry, and the hoarse shouts of 
combatants. 

The assailing force was exposed to a terrible cross-fire, 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 6^ 

which lore through their ranks, strewing the ground with the 
dead and wounded. A temporary advantage was gained, the 
intrepid Union veterans, at various points, mounting the 
breastworks and planting their banners on the elevations, 
only, however, to fall, stricken with death or disabled with 
grievous wounds. 

In less than thirty minutes our troops were compelled to 
retire, leaving the bodies of our soldiers in the open space 
where they had fallen. In this brief space of time they had 
suffered a loss of over ten thousand officers and men, among 
them many of our bravest and best. The Confederates, 
being under cover, met with but small comparative loss. 
Thus ended the battle of Cold Harbor. 

For thirty days. May 5 to June 5, we had been continuously 
engaged in fighting, marching, skirmishing, or intrenching, 
night and day. Our times for sleeping were very irregular 
and necessarily brief. The close contiguity of the armies 
required constant vigilance, and the endurance of the men 
was most severely tried. After the weary round of duty by 
day, the sky was lighted by constant flashes, or illuminated 
by the fires of burning forests, while the roar of artillery was 
almost incessant. 

During these " bloody days," the loss of the Union army 
operating against the forces of Gen. Lee was, in round num- 
bers, upwards of eighty thousand in killed, wounded, and 
missing. 

We append, from the report of Col. Rivers, a more detailed 
account of the immediate participation of the Eleventh Regi- 
ment in this notable campaign: — 

" At sunrise of the 6th of May, the regiment advanced in 
line of battle and soon became engaged with the enemy, and 
fought steadily until i o'clock p. m., when they succeeded in 
turning the flank of the line of battle on our left, and the 
regiment was compelled to fall back about half a mile to a 



64 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

line of breastworks. Soon after getting into position, the 
enemy advanced in heavy force on our Unes, but were 
repulsed and driven back with great loss, after one hour's 
hard fighting. Remained in this position until the night of 
the 7th, when the regiment was ordered on picket. The 
casualties, during the 5th, 6th, and 7th in this command, were 
nine enlisted men killed, two commissioned officers and fifty- 
two enlisted men wounded and twelve missing, supposed to 
have been taken prisoners. At ten o'clock a. m., on the 8th, 
the regiment was relieved from picket, and marched to Todd's 
Tavern, a distance of six miles, on the Spottsylvania road, 
and joined the brigade. Remained here protecting supply 
and ammunition trains, until the morning of the loth, when 
the regiment marched live miles and assisted in charging the 
enemy's works in our front. We were received with heavy 
fire and were compelled to fall back to our former position. 

•'May 12, 4 o'clock p. m., the regiment was again ordered 
to take part in another charge on the works. The whole 
line soon advanced and succeeded in capturing one line of 
the enemy's works, with about six thousand prisoners and 
twenty-five pieces of artillery. 

" The line of works was soon reversed ; the fighting now 
became desperate on both sides, and continued without 
cessation until dark, with a loss to the regiment of five killed, 
two commissioned officers and thirty-three enlisted men 
wounded, and four missing supposed to have been taken 
prisoners. 

" Remained in this vicinity, having occasional skirmishes 
with the enemy, until the morning of May 21. 

" May 21, 1864. On this date the strength of the regiment 
was increased by forty-five enlisted men, composed of veter- 
ans and recruits from the First Regiment Massachusetts 
Volunteers, which regiment's term of service had expired. 

" The same day marched by way of Bowling and Milford to 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 65 

North Anna River, a distance of thirty miles, arriving there 
late in the afternoon on the 23d. Crossed the river on the 
24th, under a heavy fire from the enemy, and took up a posi- 
tion in front of the enemy, with a loss to the command of 
one enlisted man killed, four wounded, and two missing. 

"May 26, at 10 p. m., recrossed the North Anna, marched 
a few miles to the left and bivouacked. May 27, at 12.30 
p. M., continued the march in a southeasterly direction, 
crossing the Pamunky River at 3 p. m., on the 28th, and took 
up position thirteen miles from Richmond. On this march 
the command was short of rations, the men eating parched 
corn in lieu of bread. May 29, advanced our line about three 
miles, and erected very strong earthworks. May 30, were 
under fire while erecting a new line of intrenchments. May 
31, at 10 A. M., moved forward, and arrived at Cold Harbor 
late in the afternoon of June 2. Remained here having 
considerable skirmishing, and much of the time under fire, 
with a loss to the command of one enlisted man killed and 
nine wounded. 

" June 12. On this date, fourteen commissioned officers and 
about two hundred and ninety enlisted men, whose term of 
service had expired, left the front for Boston." 

Lieut.-Col. Tripp commanded the returning members. 
The detachment proceeded via Washington and Philadelphia, 
reaching Boston in due time, several delays occurring during 
the journey. 

On June 24, these officers and men were duly mustered 
out of the service on Boston Common, a large concourse of 
people being assembled on the occasion. 

We subjoin the following extracts from the Boston Herald : 

\_Herald, Tuesday, June 21, 1864.] 

" Arrival of the Eleventh Regiment. 

" The gallant Eleventh Regiment, which remained in the front trenches of 
the army, within two and a half miles of the Chickahominy, until just 
before their time expired, arrived in Boston this morning via Springfield. 



66 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

" They were met at the depot by quite a large number of relatives and 
friends who gave them a cordial greeting. 

" The number of men returned is two hundred and thirty-eight with 
seven officers; there were left behind two hundred and seventy men, which 
included the substitutes or drafted men received at Beverly Ford, several 
re-enlisted men of the Eleventh and forty-seven re-enlisted men of the First 
which have been transferred. There are about seventy of the original 
number who have returned to-day. 

" During the present campaign the Eleventh has lost one hundred and 
thirty-eight men in killed and wounded. 

" The Eleventh reached New York at ten o'clock on the forenoon of 
Saturday the iSth, and remained until last evening at six o'clock when they 
left for Boston. 

" The entire journey home was accomplished without accident. The 
men and officers are in cheerful spirits, and manifest no little joy at being 
once more at home. 

" The following are the officers who have returned home with the regi- 
ment : — 

" Col. Porter D. Tripp, Major James W. McDonald, Acting Adjt. D. C. 
Williamson, Capts. Wm. C. Allen, Wm. N. Smith, Wm. V. Munroe, 
Lieuts. Alexander McTavish, John Shea, Levi Russell, Jacob Kenney. 
The regiment will be received on the Common this forenoon, by a large 
escort and escorted to Faneuil Hall, where they will partake of an enter- 
tainment, furnished by the city." 

And on the same date the Herald said : — 

" Reception of the Eleventh. 

" The regiment arrived in Boston, and after partaking of breakfast at 
Beach Street barracks marched to the Common where they rested for one 
and one-half hours. 

** At nine o'clock, Gen. Robert Cowdin, Chief Marshal, formed the pro- 
cession consisting of police, marshal, Union Cornet Band, Boston Scottish 
Club, with bagpipes and uniform, past members of club, all under the 
command of Chief Wm. Grant; Hall's Band, First Regiment, one hun- 
dred and seven men, eight officers, all under Capt. Geo. E. Henry; Gil- 
more's Band, a company of militia from Readville, under Capt. Chas. B. 
Winslow; Eleventh Regiment, preceded by its officers and a drum corps; 
past members of the Eleventh; carriages for wounded officers and men. 

" The procession started at lo a. m., and marched through the principal 
streets to Faneuil Hall. 

" As the regiment passed the Common, a salute was fired by a section of 
the Boston Light Battery on the hill, under Capt. Cummings. Large crowds 
greeted them, and many decorations were displayed. 

" On arriving at State House the procession halted, and was received 
by Gen. Schouler, who made a brief speech of welcome, which was 
answered by Col. Tripp in fitting terms. They arrived at the hall at 12.15, 
which was richly decorated. Mayor Lincoln, Adjt.-Gen. Schouler, and offi- 
cers were on the platform. The band played, * Home, Sweet Home.' 
Then followed the attack upon the edibles. Mayor Lincoln spoke of the 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 6/ 

service of the regiment, of the honor they had brought to the city and 
State, * no regiment had done better,' and, in behalf of Boston, he offered 
them a hearty welcome. 

*' Gen. Schouler spoke of the regiment as one of the first to leave the 
State, and alluded to its connection with Hooker's old brigade. 

" Col. Tripp replied, returning thanks to everybody. ' The regiment 
went out one thousand strong, to-day two hundred and thirty-six men 
represent its strength. To those brave men whom we have left behind 
goes back our prayer that God may spare them to return to their friends 
and families. We may go back again, if needed, as the * Eleventh.' He 
referred to the First Regiment and fighting Joe Hooker's Brigade, 

" ' This greeting to brave men is worth a lifetime,' continued the brave 
veteran. * It is not to the officer, but to the soldier who carries his mus- 
ket in the front rank, that this praise is due.' 

" Gen. Cowdin of the old First, and Major McDonald of the Eleventh, 
also spoke. The regiment was then furloughed until Friday next, at noon, 
for muster out on Boston Common." 

From the Boston Herald^ of Saturday, June 25 : — 

*' The Eleventh Regiment, Lieut. Col. Porter D. Tripp commanding, 
assembled on the parade ground of the Common this noon for the purpose 
of being mustered out of the service. About all the men were present; 
and, after the usual routine, the men were marched by companies to the 
State House, where their arms were deposited with Capt. Dunbar, the 
ordnance officer." 



CHAPTER XII. 

COLD HARBOR TO PETERSBURG. 

T^HREE hundred and sixty-three enlisted men, composed 
* of veterans and recruits, remained in the field after the 
departure of the three years' men for their homes, thus con- 
tinuing the organization of the Eleventh Massachusetts Regi- 
ment. With them were the following officers, veterans who 
had seen service during the time of original enlistment : col- 
onel, William Blaisdell ; captains, Charles C. Rivers, Rufus A. 
White, Daniel A. Granger, Alexander McTavish ; first lieu- 
tenants, William Teaffe, Thomas H. Dunham, William H. 
Brown. 

On the day of the return of the men who had served out 



6S ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

their term of enlistment for three years, June 12, 1864, at 
seven o'clock p. m., the regiment commenced its march 
toward the James River, crossing at Powhattan Point, and 
marched to within two miles of Petersburg, bivouacking on 
the night of the 15th, at a distance of thirty-five miles from 
Cold Harbor.^_ June 16, at sunrise, the enemy opened on our 
position with shot and shell, for about an hour, during which 
time our men were exposed to a terrific fire, without cover of 
any kind, being stationed in an open field, about five hundred 
yards from the enemy's battery. At 3 p. m., we were ordered 
on the skirmish line, and remained skirmishing with the 
enemy until dark. 

On the 1 6th, our regiment was detached from the brigade, 
late in the afternoon, to assist in making a demonstration to 
learn the position and strength of the enemy. The command 
advanced in line of battle to within five hundred yards of the 
enemy's works, when they opened a heavy fire with shot and 
shell, and succeeded in slightly wounding tw^o enlisted men. 
After remaining in this position for about two hours, until the 
object of the movement had been accomplished, orders were 
received for us to fall back and join the brigade in the 
woods, j'' 

We remained here until the night of the i8th, when the 
regiment moved back and crossed the James River to Jones's 
Neck, and marched by way of Bermuda Hundred, crossed 
the Appomattox River, at Point of Rocks, and proceeded to 
that part of the line in front of Petersburg, held by the Ninth 
Army Corps, arriving there on the 19th, a distance of 
eighteen miles. 

The loss of the command during the day was one enlisted 
man killed and twelve wounded. During the 17th, iSth, and 
19th, we were engaged in a number of slight skirmishes, five 
enlisted men being wounded. For the next week we fur- 
nished daily details for the picket duty. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 6q 

On June 23, Col. William Blaisdell, of the Eleventh, was 
killed, being at the time on detached duty in command 
of the Corcoran Legion, Irish Brigade. While directing the 
construction of earth works, he was dismounted, standing 
upon the raised mound of earth which subsequently became 
a portion of the main works of the Union army. While thus 
exposed, he was picked off by a rebel sharpshooter from the 
window of a house within the enemy's lines. 

On June 27, the regiment moved to the left and occupied 
the line of works formerly held by the troops already sent 
forward. For the ensuing two weeks we furnished details 
for picket and other duties. 

On July II, the Sixteenth Massachusetts Regiment took 
their departure for home, thus leaving the Eleventh remaining 
in the field, as the last regiment of " Hooker's Old Brigade," 
originally composed of the First, Eleventh, and Sixteenth 
Massachusetts, Second New Hampshire, and Twenty-sixth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. We had fought together on so 
many battle fields, that this comradeship of three years' ser- 
vice (and such an eventful three years) will never be effaced 
so long as one is left who won the right to wear the white 
diamond, with '■'■Hooker's Brigade " inscribed thereon. 

On this day our regiment was further increased by the 
transfer to it of five commissioned officers, — assistant sur- 
geon, Thomas Crozier, captains, Richard T. Lombard and 
Henry S. Nutting, lieutenants, James F. Mansfield and Frank 
McQuade, — ninety-six re-enlisted men, and one hundred 
recruits, whose term of service did not expire with that of 
the Sixteenth Regiment. They were formed into a battalion 
of two companies, and were afterwards made a part of our 
organization by the act of consolidation. 

On July 13, we marched to a reserve camp in the rear, 
where we were engaged building covered roads and in other 
duties until the 26th of July, when, at five o'clock p. m.. 



70 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

after a severe march of fifteen miles, we bivouacked near the 
James River. At dayUght on the morning of the 27th, 
we crossed the James River, marching to the relief 
of Gen. Foster, at Deep Bottom, and halted in a piece of 
woods. Soon after getting into line, the enemy opened a 
battery on our front and shelled the woods in which we lay 
with great vigor, but without loss to us. We held this posi- 
tion until the 28th, when we recrossed the James River and 
marched a distance of eighteen miles to the front of Peters- 
burg. On the night of the 29th, the regiment moved out 
and relieved a portion of the Eighteenth Corps in the advance 
trenches ; we held this position during the 30th, under a con- 
stant fire of musketry and artillery, with the loss of only one 
enlisted man wounded. At night we were relieved and 
marched to our former reserve camp, a distance of four miles. 
We remained in camp, furnishing daily details for levelling 
old works, and building covered roads and fortifications, 
until Aug. 12, when we marched to City Point, Va., a 
distance of ten miles. At four o'clock p. m. on the 15th, 
embarked on board transport, and proceeded up the James 
River to Deep Bottom, landing on the morning of the r4th, 
when we marched about two miles and took up a position in 
front of the enemy. We were immediately ordered to a posi- 
tion in the advance line of intrenchments, where we remained 
under heavy fire until relieved, at 4 o'clock p. m.; then, 
marching two miles to the left, near Fort Davis, we occupied 
this line, furnishing heavy details for picket and fatigue 
duties, until the night of Sept. 9, when we moved out to the 
reserve picket line, and the same night supported the advance 
during the charge. As soon as the works were carried, a 
detail of our regiment was sent out and occupied them with 
the sharpshooters, losing one enlisted man wounded while 
doing so. The main body of the regiment remained in 
reserve until 7 o'clock p. m. of the 10th, when, in moving 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. /I 

out to the assistance of the first detail, we lost two enlisted 
men killed, and three severely wounded. At 9 o'clock p. m. 
we were relieved and returned to camp. 

On Sept. 24, we were reinforced by Capt. Bennett's 
company of about ninety recruits, many of these men having 
seen service in other regiments, thus bringing us an impor- 
tant accession of veteran soldiers. 

With these men came First Lieut. Josiah L. Chapin and 
Second Lieut. John L. Parker, the latter being detailed as 
aide-de-camp at brigade headquarters in February, 1865, t>ut 
rejoining the regiment on its departure for home. 

We remained in this vicinity, performing picket and other 
duties, until Oct. i, when we marched to Poplar Grove 
Church, a distance of five miles to the left. On the morninsr 
of the 2d we advanced, and formed a line of battle in a piece 
of woods. Soon after, our regiment was detached from the 
brigade and marched to the left along a line of works previ- 
ously held by the enemy, and formed a line of battle in a 
ravine. Soon after getting into position, the enemy opened 
a heavy fire with shot and shell, inflicting a loss of two 
enlisted men killed, and one wounded severely This engage- 
ment closed at dark, when we were withdrawn a short dis- 
tance and bivouacked with the brigade for the night. Oct. 5, 
we marched to our old position in front of Petersburg, where 
we remained without much change in our duties until the 
26th, when, in the afternoon, after a severe march of fifteen 
miles, we reached an open plain near the Boyden plank road. 
About noon on the 27th, we moved at once to the crest of a 
hill, and formed a line of battle facing the road, when 
heavy firing in our rear was heard. The line was ordered to 
*' about face," and charged down the hill and up a small rise, 
where the enemy were. 

Our line was formed here, and the regiment became 
engaged with the enemy ; we captured twenty prisoners, in- 



72 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

eluding three commissioned officers, our own loss including 
one commissioned officer, Capt. David Granger, who fell, 
mortally wounded, and died on the following day. Capt- 
Granger was acting colonel in command at the time. Col. 
Rivers having been detailed as division officer of the day. 
One enlisted man was killed, eight wounded, and twelve were 
missing, — supposed to have been wounded and left on the 
field. 

We then fell back, reforming on the crest of the hill, and 
moved by the left flank to a rail fence running parallel with 
the wood, remaining in this position until eight o'clock p. m. 
While holding this point we incurred the loss of another 
commissioned officer, Capt. Alexander McTavish, who had 
succeeded Capt. Granger and was in command of the regi- 
ment. He was killed while superintending the construction 
of temporary works. We also lost one enlisted man. 

We were then ordered back, reporting at the house used 
as a field hospital, and were engaged in carrying the wounded 
to the rear. The regiment joined the brigade at lo o'clock 
p. M., and after a severe march halted, at 3.30 p. m. of the 
28th. We resumed our march at 12 o'clock, noon, on the 
29th, and marched about seven miles to an open field within 
two miles of Petersburg. On the 31st, we marched to the 
line of intrenchments near Fort Morton in front of Peters- 
burg. Nov. 5, the enemy made a night assault on our picket 
line, which we succeeded in handsomely repulsing, with a 
loss of two enlisted men wounded, and the capture of our 
adjutant while assisting in posting a part of the picket. On 
the night of the 29th and morning of the 30th, we marched 
eight miles to Poplar Grove Church and went into camp. 
Dec. 7, the regiment broke camp and marched by way of the 
Jerusalem plank road across the Nottoway River, and by 
way of Sussex Court House, to within one mile of Jarrett's 
Station on the Weldon Railroad, a distance of thirty-one 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 73 

miles from Petersburg, and halted for the night at sunset on 
the 8th. We resumed the march on the morning of the 9th, 
and took part in destroying the Weldon Railroad from 
Jarrett's Station to the Meherrin River, a distance of ten 
miles, and bivouacked one mile from the river, at dark, for 
the night. The object of the expedition having been 
accomplished, the command started to return on the morning 
of the loth, and we retraced our steps over the same route 
that we had taken on the advance, and went into camp on 
the afternoon of the 12th in front of Fort Duchesne, near 
Yellow House Station, on the left of our army in front of 
Petersburg. 

CHAPTER XHI. 

PETERSBURG TO LEE's SURRENDER. 

JAN. I, 1865, the regiment held position in the woods in 
front of Petersburg, Va. It was attached to the Third 
Brigade, Third Division, of the Second Army Corps. The 
command was engaged in the performance of the customary 
picket and fatigue duty until the 5th of February, when it 
took part in a movement for the extension of the lines. 

The regiment assisted in the construction of a new line of 
works and occupied a portion of them until March 26, when 
the closing campaign of the war was initiated. 

On the 29th, the regiment made a gallant charge upon the 
main line of works of the Confederate forces. During this 
charge Capt. William R. Bennett and Lieut. H. Harrington, 
with a number of men, became separated from the rest of the 
command, and, though they gained and drove the enemy 
from a portion of their works, they were finally overpowered 
by superior numbers and compelled to surrender. 

During the pursuit of the enemy the regiment took an 



74 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

active part, capturing many of their trains and munitions of 
war. 

We arrived at Hatch's Run early in March, where we were 
under fire most of the time, and an important engagement 
took place. In April, it became evident that important 
affairs were very near at hand, and every man in the 
command seemed to feel confident that the turn of the tide 
had fairly set in. This feeling was much strengthened by the 
fact that demoralization of the opposing force was plainly 
apparent. 

Daily, squads of Confederates would come in and be passed 
to the rear, this being so common as to excite little or no 
comment. Finally, as we went out on picket duty one morn- 
ing, we became satisfied that the process of evacuation had 
been pretty thoroughly exercised during the night. 

Determining upon a close reconnoisance, we cautiously 
approached and were convinced that Gen. Early's troops, 
who had so long confronted our line, were withdrawing from 
their position. We started in pursuit, soon coming up with a 
part of the train and capturing the wagons and stores of the 
redoubtable chieftain himself. 

There was a grand jollification when we returned to camp 
with our prize, which comprised a plentiful supply of " corn 
juice," as well as sundry bags of fine white meal, which made 
an appreciated addition to our bill of fare. Other sections 
of the train soon came in, and the camp soon assumed a 
strange and unfamiliar appearance. The gray and the blue 
were mingled in strange juxtaposition so far as the uniforms 
were concerned, while head gear was donned of every 
describable variety. 

High privates strutted around in all the glory of aigrets 
and stars, until it was almost impossible to distinguish between 
a brigadier-general and a subaltern. There was a general 
feeling of joyful anticipation; but, although the boys were 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 75 

allowed full latitude in the carnival of fun, discipline was 
essentially maintained and the keenest watchfulness was 
observed. 

The capture of Early's train was effected soon after the 
command had reached High Bridge, and the advance was very 
cautiously continued. We captured large numbers of Con- 
federate stragglers, as well as several considerable bodies, 
but met no resistance worthy of consideration until we had 
approached within about three quarters of a mile of the 
present position of the enemy. It had been rumored that 
Sheridan, with a powerful force, was on the other side of our 
old foe, and that the time was very near for a determination 
of the war either one way or the other. 

Our unobstructed advance, with other signs which long 
service had enabled us to read with considerable critical 
acumen, had stimulated our courage, and the boys were in 
excellent fighting trim and prepared for any emergency. 

It was on the 9th of April that sundry rumors crept into 
camp that there was a prospect of a battle, as an advance 
movement had been determined upon at 2 p. m., in case of 
the failure of negotiations then under consideration. Our 
front was rigidly inspected, and we grasped the familiar 
barrels waiting in grim expectancy for orders. 

Behind us and to the left stretched a belt of woods, in the 
edge of which our lines were posted. In front of us was a 
large, open field, w^hile in the right distance we could dis- 
cover a close group from which, from time to time, mounted 
aids would dash out and scour the plain. 

A huge tree, thrice the circumference of a man's body, 
threw its shade above this earnest group, and we could feel 
that this was the centre of some important transaction. 

The hour was rapidly approaching, — it must have been 
about half past one when a figure detached itself from the 
group about the tree. As he came more fully into sight, gal- 



'jG ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

loping rapidly toward us, he waved his hat in the air with 
wild gesticulation. We were soon able to make out that it 
was an officer of the Union army, and as soon as he came 
within hail all doubts were removed. 

" It 's all over, boys ! " he shouted, as he rode rapidly on, 
waving the hat in wide sweeps about his head. 

" I shall never forget the scene that ensued, to my dying 
day," said a comrade who was present at this exciting 
moment and auspiciously situated for a full view of all that 
transpired, " nor would I exchange the memory of that ecstatic 
moment for the joys of an ordinary lifetime." 

Some ftrll on their knees and offered up fervent thanksgiv- 
ing to God, while tears of happiness streamed down their 
faces. Many danced, all shouted, and a perfect pande- 
monium of joy pervaded the wildly cheering ranks. 

The messenger was surrounded, but it was utterly impos- 
sible for him to answer the fire of eager questioning which 
was rained upon him. 

The supreme thought in every mind was even superior to 
our exultation over the redemption of the flag we loved so 
well, and that thought found utterance among one of the 
groups of bronze-faced men, who, standing round their colors, 
raised the chorus : " Rally round the Flag," and, before its 
echoes had died away, supplemented it with the sweeter 
strains of " Home, sweet Home." 

The ebullition was soon over, for it was too intense for 
long continuance, and then ensued a season of the most 
severe and perfect discipline I had ever witnessed since I 
joined the army. 

We turned our faces toward the capitol we had helped to 
save, but the stronghold of the Confederacy was as much a 
sealed mystery to us as it had been for the many days during 
which we were hammering at its portal. 

One other scene, almost equalling in its intensity of grief 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 77 

the joy which we had experienced during that brief hour at 
the extreme front, was when, the dire news having reached 
us of the death of our beloved president at the hand of an 
assassin, the surgeon of the One Hundred and Tenth New 
York Regiment delivered before us the most eloquent, im- 
pressive, and touching eulogy I had ever heard issue from 
human lips. 

Our return was uneventful, circling the works, then 
double-quicking through the streets of Richmond so hastily 
that we knew little or nothing of its edifices or peculiarities, 
thence by easy stages to Washington. Here we remained 
until orders were received for its discharge at Readville, 
Mass., to which place it was transported on the 13th of 
July, and discharged, discharge dating July 14. 

The regiment was complimented in General Orders for 
gallantry on a number of occasions during the year, and was 
relied on when a difficult and dangerous position was to be 
wrested from the enemy. 

The regiment numbered, on the ist of January, 528 
enlisted men and 17 commissioned officers ; at the date of 
discharge it had become reduced to 383 enlisted men and 15 
commissioned officers. 

The Boston Herald of July 18, 1865, contained the 
following : — 

The Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment. 

Lieut. -Col. Thos. H. Dunham arrived at Readville yesterday. 

Eleventh Regime7it Field and Staff. — Lieut.-Col. Thomas H. Dunham, 
Major J. F. Mansfield, Surgeon C. B. Smith, Assistant-Surgeon Crozier, 
Adjutant M. Boucher, Quartermaster Wm. H. Brown. 

Line Officers. — Co. B, First Lieut. M. M. Cowdry; Co. C, Captain 
J. L. Chapin; Co. D, Captain David Linnehan; Co. E, First Lieut. 
W. H. Wheeler; Co. F, Captain Frank McQuade; Co. H, Second Lieut. 
R. D. Leary; Co. K, First Lieut. John W. Tufts. 

And this brief summary comprises the tribute to the gallant 
sons of the organization which had been the first in Massa- 
chusetts to respond to the call to arms upon their return. 



y8 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



SERVICES DURING THE WAR. 

Appended is a copy of the official award of services ren- 
dered by the Eleventh Regiment during the war. Only one 
Massachusetts regiment — the Twentieth Infantry — was 
engaged in more battles. 

Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, March 7, 1865. 

General Orders, No. 10. 
(Extract.) 

In accordance with the requirements of General Orders, No. 19, of 1862, 
from the War Department, and in conformity with the reports of boards 
convened to examine into the services rendered by the troops concerned, 
and by the authority of the lieutenant-general commanding armies of the 
United States, it is ordered that there shall be inscribed upon the colors 
or guidons of the following regiments and batteries serving in this army, 
the names of the battles in which they have borne a meritorious part, and 
as hereinafter specified, viz. : — 

eleventh MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

First Bull Run, Gettysburg, 

Yorktown, Kelly's Ford, 

Williamsburg, Locust Grove, 

Fair Oaks, Wilderness, 

Savages Station, Spottsylvania, 

Glendale, North Anna, 

Malvern Hill, Tolopotomoy, 

Bristow Station, Cold Harbor, 

Second Bull Run, Petersburg, 

Chantilly, Strawberry Plains, 

Fredericksburg, Deep Bottom, 

Chancellorsville, Poplar Spring Church, 
Boydton Road. 

By command of Major-Gen. Meade, 

George D. Ruggles, 
Assisiajit Adjutant- General. 



The regiment also took part in engagements at Hatch's 
Run, Weldon Railroad, and at the final closing scene of the 
war at Appomattox. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 79 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE RETURN AND A RESUME. 

'' /^H, for a pen from Jove's own eagle sundered to write 

^-^ my burning thoughts." 

So wrote John Quincy Adams, but I had rather filch a quill 
from the pinion of the white dove of peace and dip it in the 
fount of loving memory. A wealth of narrative lies before me, 
unprinted history all pregnant with valor and devotion, but 
the printer is inexorable, and these tender fibres which 
formed the strands which were twisted into the cable of nation- 
ality must live as a united whole. I could fill pages with sig- 
nificant remembrances. " Deserted " ! said a comrade, a few 
days ago, as he looked over the regimental list; " Deserted ! 

what a shame ! As I was hurried ofi' on my way to Libby 

1 saw him with his back to a tree, contending with his 
clubbed musket against five of the enemy". 

This is but one instance of very many in which injustice 
has been done to the memory of heroic men. There is many 
a hiatus on the company roll created through non return of 
men who have died in rebel prisons, in hospitals, or on the 
road to or from the field of duty. Again, particularly in the 
early part of the war, many men on furlough engaged in other 
service in the army or navy and have won honor in their new 
field of duty, notwithstanding that the rigid rule of military, 
discipline has brought disgrace upon their name. All are 
familiar with the adage anent a "little brief authority " and a 
jealous or revengeful spirit has sometimes cast undeserved 
obliquy upon brave men. 

On July 13, 1864, eleven men dropped, sunstruck, during 



80 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

the forced march near Fort Davis, from one brigade. Doubt- 
less, many whose names are dishonored, through error, or 
malice, fill unmarked graves in Southern soil. 

Gen. Dunham recalls an incident of the battle of Chancel- 
lorsville, where the enemy outflanked our regimental line. 
We were exposed to a fierce enfilading fire, our officers and 
men being rapidly shot down. So determinedly were the 
men engaged that a fire which had caught in the dry leaves 
and underbrush, was unnoticed until it had gained such 
volumes to render the extrication of our wounded a work of 
great danger ; doubtless, many perished. 

Lieut. CaleiT speaks of a humorous incident of the early 
days. Just before the departure of the regiment, Rev. Dr. 
Kirk used the expression, then very common, "on to Rich- 
mond," in one of his addresses. After the battle of Manas- 
sas, the lieutenant found himself safely landed at " Fort " 
Libby. Sergt. Wirtz came in and said : " You Yankees hab 
now privilege of write to your friends." The lieutenant 
promptly availed himself of the opportunity and wrote to Dr. 
Kirk as follows : — 

Dear Dr., — I have got " on to Richmond," here we are in prison. 

Plunged in a gulf of dark despair, 
Without a flannel shirt to wear." 

So the prisoners maintained tneir loyalty and strove to 
bring a little sunlight amid the shadows. 

Col. Granger recalls the fact that in our first engagement, 
our untried soldiers formed in line of battle and dressed on 
the colors under a heavy fire in front of Rickett's battery 
which had been silenced. 

So heroic a beginning was crowned with a fitting ending, 
for it is a matter of historic record that on April 2, 1865, 
Company E, then on picket line, having received orders to 
charge upon the rebel works at Petersburg, gallantly respon- 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 8 1 

ded, George Walker, Sergts. Worth and Allen penetrating the 
enemy's works and capturing a large number of prisoners. 

The total number of men enlisted and credited to the 
regiment was 2,423, of whom 7 officers and 280 men 
were mustered out June 24, 1864, a large number of this 
total, however, never joined the regiment in active service. 
Lieut. -Col. Thomas H. Dunham, returned in command of 
the regiment at the close of the war. Those men were 
mustered out July 14, 1865. The total number killed, as 
officially reported, was 85; 147 died of wounds, or disease. 
275 were honorably discharged before their term of service 
expired. The total number mustered out at expiration of 
service was 847. Of the whole number discharged only 13 
failed of an honorable record. 

Among the more important changes we note the following 
promotions, most of which were in the earlier part of the 
war. 

Oct. II, 1861, after the resignation of Col- Clark, Lieut. - 
Col. William Blaisdell was promoted to the command of the 
regiment, and served with the command to the close of its 
three years. He, with many other officers, remained with 
the re-enlisted men of the old Eleventh, and while acting 
brigadier-general commanded the Corcoran Legion in front 
of Petersburg. He was killed June 23, 1864. 

Major Tileston was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, Oct. 
II, i86t, served with the regiment up to and in the second 
battle of Bull Run, where he was killed in the charge of the 
brigade on the first day of that battle. 

Luther V. Bell was promoted to brigade surgeon, August, 
1861 ; died 1862. 

Adjt. Brownell Granger received an education at the 
Norwich Military Academy. He was detailed to serve on 
Gen. Hooker's staff, and rose to the rank of colonel in the 
commissary department. 



82 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

Sergt.-Maj. Henry Page was detailed on Gen. Hooker's 
staff, and rose to the rank of brevet-colonel. 

Appended is a list of the officers of the Eleventh who 
died while in the service : 9 commissioned officers were killed 
in action, as were also 17 non-commissioned officers and 59 
privates, a total of 85. 

Those who died from the effects of wounds, disease, etc. 
comprised 7 commissioned officers, 11 non-commissioned 
officers and 129 privates, a total of 147. Two non-com- 
missioned officers and 30 privates are recorded as missing ; 
8 non-commissioned officers and 223 privates are unaccounted 
for. 

List of officers of the Eleventh who died in the service : — 

Wm. Blaisdell Col., June 23, 1864, killed before Peters- 
burg, Va. 

Geo. F. Tileston, Lieut-Col, Aug. 29, 1862, killed 2d 
Bull Run. 

Luther V. Bell, Surgeon, Feb. 11, 1862, died in line of 
duty. 

Benj. F. Stone, Jr., Capt., Sept. 10, 1862, died of wounds 
received at 2d Bull Run. 

Albert M. Gammell, Capt, Dec. 19, 1863, killed at Chelsea, 
Mass., while on furlough. 

David A. Granger, Capt., Oct. 27, 1864, killed in battle at 
Boyden Plank Road, Va. 

Alex'r. McTarish, Capt., killed Oct. 27, 1864, Boyden 
Plank Road, Va. 

Peter M. Golden, First-Lieut., Sept. ij, 1864, killed in 
action near Petersburg. 

Thomas G. Bowden, First-Lieut., July 21, i86i, killed at 
I St Bull Run, Va. 

Alonzo Coy, First-Lieut., September, 1862, died in camp, 
Alexandria, Va. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 83 

Wm. R. Porter, First-Lieut., Aug. 29, 1862, killed 2d Bull 
Run. 

John Munn, May 30, 1863, died of wounds. 

John S. Harris, First-Lieut, May 3, 1863, died of wounds, 
Chancellorsville, Va. 

Wm. B. Morrell, First-Lieut., died of disease at Newton^ 
Mass. 

Wm. B. Mitchell, Second-Lieut, July 30, 1863, died Mass. 
Gen. Hospital, Boston. 

Edwin Humphrey, Capt., Gettysburg, Pa., July, 1863, killed 
in action. 

Since this volume was in print, I have received notice of 
the death of the following comrades : Abraham Smith, Co. G ; 
Albert H. Glover, Co. K ; Lieut. Wm. E. Clark, Co. E. 



Many acts of individual heroism could be mentioned, and 
the compiler has been obliged to abstain from mention of 
hundreds, not only on account of room but to avoid the criti- 
cism that would follow, "Why was I not mentioned ", and 
will sum it up in a word. There were few indeed who served 
in the old Eleventh but what were deserving of the name of 
heroes. Many of their acts are unpublished because of the 
number of them, but out of the large number it is pleasant 
to refer to the much-deserved promotion of Corp. P. W. 
Doherty, of the color guard, at First Bull Run. When Brad- 
shaw fell, wrapped in the flag, Doherty, although unfit for 
duty on account of injury to arm, picked up the flag, refastened 
it to the staff and returned it to Adjt. Granger. For this he 
was promoted to sergeant. Another is called to mind of 
Color-Corp. James A. Kelley, at Gettysburg, after the fall of 
his color-sergeants, saved and carried off the field two colors 
and for this was promoted to color-sergeant on the field, and 
carried the old flag until his discharge in June 24, 1864. 



84 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

One source of complaint, says one comrade, that caused 
very much dissatisfaction was in relation io pro?notio?is. Many 
received rapid advancements through favoritism and influence 
at home, while many deserving enlisted men as well as officers, 
although repeatedly recommended for promotion, for bravery 
on the field, many times of such a character as would put in 
the shade the acts of soldiers in the late, as well as previous 
wars, that have been handed down in history, were refused, 
in order that a favorite could be advanced. 

Much of credit for keeping up the spirits of our boys on 
the battle field, picket, and severe marches, was due to those 
dear friends, mothers, sisters and wives at home who wrote 
them such encouraging letters. And it was by no means all 
hardship, although we had enough of that, still the many 
pleasant evenings in camp where our Christmas, Thanksgiv- 
ing, as well as regular monthly arrival of boxes of good things 
from our kind friends at home, concerts in camp by our 
regimental band, our Scotch bag pipes, violins, flutes, singing 
by glee clubs, base-ball matches, the thousand little ludicrous 
incidents on the march and even on the battle field, tended to 
partially soften the severity of the dark side. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 85 

CHAPTER XV. 

OUR VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

O HORTLY after the close of the war, some attempts were 
^ made to form company organizations; Companies D and 
K held reunions for several years, but the remaining com- 
panies perfected no distinctive association. 

In the fall of 1868, steps were taken for a regimental 
reunion. A meeting was called at the Sherman House, 
Boston, at which an organization was effected, Col. Porter 
D. Tripp being elected president, Capt. Rufus F. White, 
vice-president, Lieut. Wm. Taff"e, treasurer, and Sergt. Mor- 
gan, of Co. I, financial secretary. This organization held 
but one meeting, and no record is available for this volume. 

The old " Eleventh " was called together at intervals by 
its officers, but no permanent organization resulted until the 
time of the dedication of the Soldiers' Monument on Boston 
Common, when the old " Hooker's Brigade " rallied to per- 
form escort duty for their gallant old commander, Gen. Joseph 
Hooker. On this occasion, so many names and addresses of 
our old comrades were obtained that it was decided to hold 
annual reunions and to keep an official record. As a result 
of the published account of this meeting and action, a very 
general endorsement followed, many members urging that we 
" keep it up," and in 1878 the present name was adopted and 
the association organized under the officers of its election. 
The names of these officers will be found on a subsequent 
page. 

This constituted the nucleus of the roster of our survivors, 
but it was many years before it approached completion. 
Through the persistent effort of many of our most earnest 



86 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

members, however, this has at last been so far successfully 
completed as to constitute a very correct list, except in cases 
of sudden changes and the impossibility of obtaining accurate 
information in individual instances. 

The following list comprises the roll of officers of the 
Sherman House organization, and the elected officers at the 
various reunions, from Sept. 27, 1878, to July 21, 1892, 
inclusive. 

Room A, Sherman House, Boston, Sept. 15, 1878. 
President, COL. C. C. RIVERS. 
Secretary-Treasurer, JAMES H. CRUFF, CO. A. 

FIRST REUNION. 

Oak Island, Revere Beach, Sept. 27, 1878. 

Officers elected : President, Col. Brownell Granger ; Vice-President, 
Capt. William V. Munrof, Co. K; Secretary-Treasurer, James H. 
Cruff, Co. a. 

SECOND REUNION. 

Strawberry Hill, Nantasket Beach, June 13, 1879. 
Officers elected: President, Capt. William V. Munroe, Co. K; Vice- 
President, Henry H. Stone, Co. I; Secretary-Treasurer, James H. 
Cruff, Co. A. 

THIRD REUNION. 
Melville Garden, Downer Landing, June 29, 1880. 
Officers elected: President. G. B. Hutchinson, Co. D; Vice-President, 
Lieut. Jos. P. Myers, Co. G; Secretary-Treasurer, Edward J. Perry, 
Co. I. 

FOURTH REUNION. 

Melville Garden, Downer Landing, June 29, 1881. 

Officers elected: President, Capt. William H. Brown, Co. B; Vice- 
President, Jos. H. Brown, Co. H ; Secretary-Treasurer, Edward J. 
Perry, Co. I. 

FIFTH REUNION. 

Melville Garden, Downer Landing, June 29, 1882. 

Officers elected: President, Jos. H. Brown, Co. H; Vice-President, 
James H. Cruff, Co. A; Secretary-Treasurer, Edward J. Perry, 
Co. I. 

SIXTH REUNION. 

Echo Grove, West Lynn, June 29, 1883. 

Officers elected: President, James H. Cruff, Co. A; Vice-President, 
Aaron Bradshaw, Co. K; Secretary-Treasurer, G. B. Hutchinson, 
Co. D. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 8/ 

SEVENTH REUNION. 

Melville Garden, Downer Landing, June 30, 1884. 

Officers elected: President, William H. Ward, Co. I; Vice-President, 
Daniel H. Harmon, Co. D; Secretary-Treasurer, G. B. Hutch- 
inson, Co. D. 

EIGHTH REUNION. 

Melville Garden, Downer Landing, June 29, 1885. 

Officers elected: President, John Bowers, Co. A; Vice-President, G. B. 

Hutchinson, Co. D; Secretary-Treasurer, James H. Cruff, Co. A. 

NINTH REUNION. 

Point of Pines, Revere Beach, June 14, 1886. 

Officers elected : President, Lieut. Jos. P. Myers, Co. G; Vice-President, 
John B. Simonds, Co. D; Secretary-Treasurer, James H. Cruff, 
Co. A. 

TENTH REUNION. 

Melville Garden, Downer Landing, June 29, 1887. 
Officers elected: President, Peter F. Rouke, Co, D; Vice-President, 
Lowell H. Hopkinson, Co. H; Secretary-Treasurer, James H. 
Cruff, Co. A. 

ELEVENTH REUNION. 
Melville Garden, Downer Landing, June 29, 1888. 

Officers elected: President, Geo. W. Greenleaf, Co. A; Vice-President, 
Geo. W. Peabody, Co. I; Secretary-Treasurer, James H. Cruff, 
Co. A. 

TWELFTH REUNION. 

Point of Pines, Revere Beach, Thursday, June 27, 1889. 

Officers elected : President, James J. Maloney, Co. A; Vice-President, 
Lowell H. Hopkinson, Co. H; Secretary-Treasurer, James H. 

THIRTEENTH REUNION. 

Melville Garden, Downer Landing, Thursday, June 26, 1890. 

Officers elected : President, Col. Thos. H. Dunham; Vice-President, Col. 
Geo. Clark, Jr. (^istCol.); Secretary-Treasurer, Gustavus B. Hutch- 
inson, Co. D. 

FOURTEENTH REUNION. 

Nantasket House, Nantasket Beach, Tuesday, July 21, 1891. 

Officers elected: President, Col. Geo.Clark, Jr. (istCol.); Vice-President, 
Frank Weston, Co. E; Secretary-Treasurer, Gustavus B. Hutch- 
inson, Co. D. 

FIFTEENTH REUNION. 

Abboti' Hall, Marblehead, Friday, July 21, 1892. 

Officers elected: President, Frank Weston, Co. E; Vice-President, 
Thomas Fallon, Co. D; Secretary -Treasurer, Gustavus B. Hutch- 
inson, Co. D. 



88 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



ROSTER. 



CONTAINING THE NAMES AND PRESENT POST-OFFICE ADDRESSES OF ALL SURVIVING 
MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT, ALL OF WHOM ARE CONSIDERED MEMBERS OF 

OUR VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 



FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 

George Clark, Jr., Colonel . . . 339 Washington St., Boston, Mass. 

Charles C. Rivers, Colonel . . . 123 Washington Ave.,Chelsea,]\Iass. 

Thomas H. Dunham, Jr., Colonel . %'i^ East River St., Hyde Park, Mass. 

John A. Douglass, M. D., Surgeon . 167 Main St., Amesbury Mills, Mass. 

Brownell Granger, Adjutant . . Sidney, Cape Breton. 

Simon P. Currier, Adjutant . . . Avenue E, Bayou City, N. J. 

Thos. M. Crozier, M. D., Surgeon . 223 Main St., Charlestown, Mass. 

L. C. Whittier, M. D., Asst. Surgeon, P. O. Box 1262, Portsmouth, N. H. 

Elisha F. Watson, Chaplain . . Wakefield, R. I. 

R. E. Jameson, M. D., Hos. Steioard, 23 Elliott St., Jamaica Plain, Mass. 

Henry Page, Q. M. Sergeant . . Salt Lake City, Utah. 



BAND. 



S. S. Baker Box 476, Hopkinton, Mass. 

Abner Bell North Wilbraham, Mass. 

A. P. Brigham New Boston, N. H. 

E. T. Brigham Key West, Florida. 

George A. Brigham 587 Main St , Charlestown, Mass. . 

G. F. CoxoN State Farm, Bridgewater, Mass. JT 

Edward Daniels Box 836, Natick, Mass. -'^ 

G. H. Chandler Leominster, Mass. 

WiLLiAxM Dodge Antrim, N. H. 

Lorenzo Frost Haverhill, Mass. 

John Fox 25 Penn Ave., Worcester, Mass. 

Ezra Mudgett Oil Mill, Weare, N. H. 

Robert J. Neal 647 E. Seventh St., S. Boston, Mass. 

A. F. Noyes Box 113, Ashland, Mass. 

Augustus Perkins Ashland, Mass. 




ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 89 



OFFICERS AND MEMBERS BY COMPANY. 



COMPANY A. 

Auty, Daniel National Soldiers' Home, Togus, Maine. 

Armstrong, John National Soldiers' Home, Togus, Maine. 

Batchelder, John Soldiers' Home, Chelsea, Mass. 

Bowers, John M 75 Inman Street, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Bovvers, John 4 Auburn Place, Roxbury, Mass. 

Crocker, James A 75 Ingalls Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Cruff, James H 2389 Washington Street, Roxbury, Mass. 

Connolly, John National Military Home, Togus, Maine. 

Deaves, George I Taunton, Mass. 

Elmer, Henry Box 1 24, Shirley, Mass. 

Fellman, F. E Box 326, Randolph, Mass. 

Fulford, Edwin Passumpsic, Vt. 

Greenleaf, George W. . . . igChestnutStreet, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Green, Charles Wakefield, Mass. 

Green, George Wakefield, Mass. 

Green, Lewis A Wakefield, Mass. 

Goodwin, Robert S. ... Newburyport, Mass. 

Holland, John B Box 1022, Worcester, Mass. 

Meacham, J. F 552 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, Mass. 

O'Leary, John ..... 54 Putman Street, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Philhps, James C Rockland, Mass. 

Pilling, Charles A North Andover (Depot), Mass. 

Ricker, J. W South Berwick, Maine. 

Smith, George B., Capt. . . 2 Leyland Street, Dorchester, Mass. 

Rose, H. F Providence, R. I. 

Sturgis, C. E 184 Merrimac Street, Haverhill, Mass. 

Sullivan, Charles H. • • • 33 West Street, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Thompson, J. W. F. . . . 12 Rollins Street, Boston, Mass. 

Wakefield, Charles H. . . . Nantasket, Mass. 

Whitten, J. H., Lieut. ... 30 Sever Street, Charlestown, Mass. 

Woods, Richard National Military Home, Togus, Me. 



COMPANY B. 

Allen, Walter B Box 74, Andover, Mass. 

Bailey, Benj. H 24 Irving Street, Boston, Mass. 

Blunt, J. Milton 15 Central Street, Springfield, Mass. 

Brown, Wm. H., Capt. . . . Box 232, ^larblehead, Mass. 

Cavanagh, A. J Leadville, Colo. 



go ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 

Cook, Geo National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Clark, Coleman Care of Post 42, Lowell, Mass. 

Donahue, Thos Box 266, North Easton, Mass. 

Dodwell, Chas Washington, D. C. 

Doherty, Geo. T 162 Broadway, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Freeman, Benj. F 21 Fort Hill Avenue, Lowell, Mass. 

Graham, Wm. M t,t, Williams Street, Chelsea, Mass, 

Green, Reuben 71 Pearl Street, Box 98, Woburn, Mass. 

Hill, Jas. R 237 Broadway, Room 11, New York City. 

Hathaway, Chas Lynn, Mass. 

Hastings, Horace N. . . . Editor City Item, Lynn, Mass. 

Holt, Ballard, Jr Andover, Mass. 

Higgins, Henry Andover, Mass. 

Ingalls, John Box 34, North Andover, Mass. 

Jenkins, John B Box 297, North Andover, Mass. 

Keough, John Valley Falls, R. I. 

Loomis, Wm. A Lyndonville, Vt. 

Leeds, Samuel Woburn, Mass. 

Maloney, J. J 40 Erie Avenue, Dorchester, Mass. 

McDonald, Chas. A., Lieut. . 72 Beach Street, Woburn, Mass. 

Murdock, A 666 Main Street, Woburn, Mass. 

Meahan, Patrick Woburn, Mass. 

Maxwell, H. F East Sharon, Mass. 

Mitchell, Daniel Room 99, P. O. Building, Boston, Mass. 

Parker, John L., Lieut. . . 47 Estes Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Parker, Chas. T., Lieut. . . Editor Advocate, Arlington, Mass. 

Stetson, Geo. G North Chelmsford, Mass. 

Sennott, Patrick 5 Lowell Street, Boston, Mass. 

Slattery, John 684 Dorchester Avenue, So. Boston, Mass. 

Smith, Walter Neal, Capt. . Villa Park, Colo. 

Tucker, W^m. H Andover, Mass. 

Tirrell, Wm. M National Military Home, Togus, Maine. 

Willis, James M South Braintree, Mass. 

Webber, Lincoln E. ... 68 Davidson Street, Hyde Park, Mass. 

Wood, C. T 35 Linden Street, AUston, Mass. 



COMPANY C. 

Adams, John H 87 Milk Street, Boston, Mass. 

Adams, Jedediah South Carthage, Maine. 

Achron, David 6 Greenough Lane, Boston, Mass. 

Burns, Michael Augusta, Maine. 

Chapin, J. L., Capt. . . . Auburn, Maine. 

Cahill, Thos Police Station 7, East Boston, Mass. 

Claffey, Andrew J 87 Summer Street, Somerville, Mass. 

Glassell, John A., Lieut. . . 86 Cambridge Street, Boston, Mass. 

Granger, Martin S 133 Sconigstin Avenue, St. Paul, Minn. 

Haberer, Ferdinand ... 2 Spring St. Court, Boston, Mass. 

Mosher, E. J 90 Tremont Street, Charlestown, Mass. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



91 



Mason, A. P. . . . 
Savore, Joseph 
Sullivan, Thomas E. 
Sullivan, Thomas O. 
Schrant, Simon . . 
Thompson, Henry C. 
Tarbett, Walter . . 
Welch, George H. . 



Byron Street, East Boston, Mass. 

Richmond, Vt. 

42 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. 

1873 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, Mass. 

North Easton, Mass. 

71 Hanover Street, Boston, Mass. 

24 Woodward Street, South Boston, Mass. 

Advertiser Office, Boston, Mass. 



COMPANY D. 

Butters, John W., Capt. • • 57 Market Street, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Babbington, Amos . . . . i Inland Street, Lowell, Mass. 

Barry, John Foley .... Sligo, Clarion Co., Penn. 

Cavanaugh, Wm. D. . . . Nev\buryport, Mass. 

Curran, John Randolph, Mass. 

Curran, Timothy Randolph, Mass. 

Converse, Frank Decatur, 111. 

Davis, John L ■t^t, Summer Street, Boston, Mass. 

Dean, Henry Yountville, Veteran Home, Napa Co., Cal. 

Doherty, Patrick W. ... 18 Magazine Street, Roxbury, Mass. 

De Loid, Charles H., Lieut. . 18 Summit Street, Gloucester, Mass. 

Fallon, Thomas 6 Dewey Street, Roxbury, Mass. 

Fitzgerald, Richard .... 103 Portland Street, Boston, Mass. 

Fowler, Wm. H Tyler Street, Boston, Mass. 

Greenlish, Owen L Wevmouth, Mass. 

Goss, Osman H 29 Cherry Street, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Harmon, Daniel H 43 Revere Street, Boston, Mass. 

Hughes, Michael Bnmson, Fla. 

Hutchinson, Gustavus B, . . 9 Merchants Row, Boston, Mass. 

Ingraham, Silas Saxonville, Mass. 

Kilroy, John 3 Fulsom Court, Medford, Mass. 

Linnehan, David, Capt. . . 28 Dedham Street, Boston, Mass. 

Long, Job 15 Cedar Street, Brattleboro', Vt. 

Mansfield, Charles R. . . . Box 362, Wolfboro', N. H. 

Manning, M. T Danvers, Mass. 

McCarthy, Con 15 Miller Street, Charlestown, Mass. 

McCarthy, John . • . . . ^Iarlboro, Mass. 

McKay, Thos 6 Lowell Street, Boston, Mass. 

Mitchell, James 12 Warland Street, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Rouke, Peter F 27 Harvard Street, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Randall, Simri A North Easton, Mass. 

Riley, Timothy W Clementsvale, Annapolis Co., N. S. 

Shannon, John So. Milford, Mass. 

Simonds, John B 112 I ^Street, So. Boston, Mass. 

Sullivan, Patrick 88 W. Eighth Street, So. Boston, Mass. 

Thomas, Calvin S Norwich, Conn. 

Thomas, James S Amherst, Mass. 



92 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



COMPANY E. 

Belton, Thomas 107 Ninth Street, So. Boston, Mass. 

Bigelow, Jas. R., Capt. . . Box 151, Hyde Park, Mass. 

Bernard, Joel H Meriden, N. H. 

Carey, Henry Box 87, Hamilton, Mass. 

Clark, Wm., Lieut National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Cochran, Geo Box 256, Oakland, Me. 

Covell, Geo. W 1968 Dorchester Avenue, So. Boston, Mass. 

Cowdery, Marcus M., Lieut. . So. Billerica, Mass. 

Cummings, Ralph . . . . W. Harwich, Mass. 

Daniels, Benj. J St. James Avenue, Maiden, Mass. 

Darney, James H 8 Bismark Street, Worcester, Mass. 

Donavan, Thomas V. . . . Norton Furnace, Mass. 

Donavan, Wm. F National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Farwell, Wm. E., Lieut. . . 8 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. 

Fleming, Hugh 60 Hampden Street, Roxbury, Mass. 

Garnier, Henry 240 Dorchester Street, So. Boston, Mass. 

Hall, Henry A 41 Pearl Street, Providence, R. I. 

Howard, Richard .... 1890 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. 

Huntington, James D. . . . (Pleasant Valley), Amesbury, Mass. 

Lewis, D. C Kelseyville, Lake Co., Colo. 

Perkins, Oscar M Holliston, Mass. 

Porter, Charles 150 Rantoul Street, Beverly, Mass. 

Plympton, John L 58 Hudson Street, Providence, R. I. 

Reddy, Neil 7 North Square, Boston, Mass. 

Skeels, Wm Newburyport, Mass. 

Tuttle, Marcus M Box 33S, Epping, N. H. 

Walker, Geo AuburnHale, Mass. 

Welch, John 183 Middlesex Street, Lowell, Mass. 

Weinzer, Nicholas .... 320 Broadway, South Boston, Mass. 

Weston, Frank Townsend Centre, Mass. 

Wheeler, N. H Fitchburg, Mass. 

Wilkins, Frederick G. . . . Box 83, W. Quincy, Mass. 

Willis, John H Leominster, Mass. 

Wilson, E. J 51 Washington Sq., Worcester, Mass. 

Worth, Kelly Watertown, Mass. 

COMPANY F. 

Cowan, Henry V Weymouth, Mass. 

Dunham, Henry 1 1 1 B Street, South Boston, Mass. 

Gaylord, L. S West Norfolk, Conn. 

Ford, Oscar F 65 Lewis Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Hilton, Eben 1 17 Worcester Street, Boston, Mass. 

Hall, Alexander Sheffield, Mass. 

Huntington, M. P Salem, Mass. 

Mitchell, James 34 Oxford Street, Boston, Mass. 

Leonard, William A. . . . Great Barrington, Mass. 

Linton, A. A Weymouth Landing, Mass. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 93 

Linton, Ed. F Weymouth Landing, Mass. 

Poore, Horace A Peabody, Mass. 

Phalan, John R Charlton City, Charlton, Mass. 

Richmond, David .... North Middleboro, Mass. 

Segmore, Henry Rear 77 A Street, South Boston, Mass. 

Shackford,' A. R Hyde Park Avenue, Roslindale, Mass. 

Sisson, James E New Bedford, Mass. 

Spear, Charles H Weymouth, Mass. 

Sutherland, Alexander . . . no Harvard Street, Cambridgeport, Mass- 

Tarbox, Asa 23 Lynnfield Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Ward, A. S Proctor Avenue, Revere, Mass. 

Whelan, W. H 59 Essex S reet, Cambridgeport, Mass. 

Wheeler, William H. ... 23 Congress Street, Fitchburg, Mass. 

Withington, Nathan N. . . 206 High Street, Newburyport, Mass. 

Wood, Henry A. D. ... 18 Lake Street, Somerville, Mass. 

Wright, George E Winchester, Conn. 

COMPANY G. 

Allen, Wm. C, Capt. ... 77 Centre Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Bisbee, Geo National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Brown, Wm. S Milton, Calavaras Co., Cal. 

Blank, Geo. J 429 Sixth Street, South Boston, Mass. 

Breed, Henry G 32 Market Square, Lynn, Mass. 

Breed, E. H Stoneham, Mass. 

Brown, E, O Falmouth House, Boston, Mass. 

Churchill, Geo. F Lynn, Mass. 

Chanley, Nugent 117 Manton Street, Providence, R. I. 

Chickering, W. W North Andover, Mass. 

Cohane, John 55 Broad Street, Salem, Mass. 

French, Francis ii3Appleton Street, Boston, Mass. 

Greenleaf, W. H 3 Nichols Street, Haverhill, Mass. 

Hathaway, Chas. A. . . . 203 Essex Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Hasty, Gilbert 3 Dana Place, Roxbury, Mass. 

Hinman, Ed. P 160 Broadway, South Lawrence, Mass. 

Jewett, John W 21 Curve Street, Lynn, Mass. 

James, Thomas National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Maralious, Fred National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Moore, N. D 31 Lynnfield Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Morse, Walter S 191 Main Street, Bradford, Mass, 

McMorrow, Chas. J Weymouth Centre, Mass. 

Mitchell, David North Andover, Mass. 

Price, Wm. P 1 18 loth St., Washington, S. E., D. C. 

Phillips, Anglo National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Smith, Abraham Box 229, Raymond, N. H. 

Sweetser, Geo. W Kelseyville, Lake County, Colo. 

Sutcliff, James Fryeburg, Maine. 

Towle, John 1029 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. 

Wells, J. C North Bridgeton, Me. 

Warsley, Herbert J 8 Fulton Street, Medford, Mass. 



94 ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



COMPANY H. 

Baldwin, Gilbert Beachmont, Mass. 

Bassett, Wm. R 67 Tyler Street, Boston, Mass. 

Bent, John Q Quincy, Mass. 

Brown, Joseph H 99 Prince Street, Boston, Mass. 

Calef, Geo. W., Lieut. . . . i Sturgess Street, Chelsea, Mass. 

Carey, John B 209 Prince Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Church, Andrew Lynn, Mass. 

Gushing, Henry North Abington, Mass. 

Cole, Geo. A Newton Highlands, Mass. 

Crosby, Ed. B 162 Northampton Street, Boston, Mass. 

Coffin, Enoch 19 Locust Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Cram, Oscar Box 34, Middleton, Mass. 

Davis, Geo. W Box 15, Jeffersonville, Ind. 

Haywood, Harry . . . . 917 Albany Street, Boston, Mass. 

Howard, W. L National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Hadley, Horace L National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Hopkinson, Lowell H. . . Groveland, Mass. 

Ham, John M Conway, N. H. 

Heath, Henry 125 Water Street, Haverhill, Mass. 

Jackson, J. H Box 572, Wakefield, Mass. 

Jacobs, C. H Box 262, Foxboro, Mass. 

Kenney, Patrick 32 Dennis Street, Roxbury, Mass. 

Kimball, Barney National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Loud, Lemuel J Box 53, Rockland, Mass. 

Luther, Miletus 7 Mason Street, Taunton, Mass. 

■Mansfield, William .... 92 South Street, Boston, Mass. 

jSIoran, Andrew Box 48, Mansfield, Mass. 

McLaughlin, H. E 429 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, Mass. 

Nash, James Abington, ■Mass. 

Page, Selden, Capt 48 Cypress Street, Rochester, N. Y. 

Preble, Ed. P 21 Oliver Street, Boston, Mass. 

Ryan, Michael National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Sand, Lemuel Abington, Mass. 

Shepard, John N 102 K Street, South Boston, Mass. 

Scrutin, Henry F Reading, Mass. 

Shaffer, De Witt 24 Eliot Street, Boston, Mass. 

Shaffer, Oscar Amherst, N. H. 

Spiller, T. W Oldtown, Maine. 

Torrey, x\ppleton H. . . . Weymouth, Mass. 

Ward, Charles A South Framingham, Mass. 

Warren, R. T Box 93, Bowdoinham, Me. 

Wells, William H 51 Washington Square, Worcester, Mass. 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. DC 



COMPANY L 

Bass, George A 9 Linwood Place, Charlestown, Mass. 

Blakney, Thomas R. . . . Watertown, Mass. 

Crowell, Freeman .... 2226 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 

Dennett, B. L Box 191, Everett, Mass. 

Disney, Jos. F Care of R. Wiley, Charlestown, Mass. 

Drake, George R Box 113, West Medway, Mass. 

Edmunds, Rodney .... Wakefield, Mass. 

Kinney, Thomas J 9 Chatham Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Knowlton, John C 120 South Market Street, Boston, Mass. 

Lane, William Lowell Street, Wakefield, Mass. 

La Clair, William .... Box 354, Reading, Mass. 

Leath, George E Maiden, Mass. 

Meader, Charles C 88 Pleasant Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Mears, Daniel 11 Mead Street, Charlestown, Mass. 

Mears, George Ballardvale, Mass. 

McGar, John National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Nash, L E i Nason Place, Charlestown, Mass. 

Mason, Simon 2 Madison Street, Roxbury, Mass. 

Ormand, Albert 88 Fulton Street, Medford Mass. 

O'Donnel, Michael .... 29 Lynde Street, Charlestown, Mass. 

Pike, David D 527 Main Street, Charlestown, Mass. 

Peabody, George W. . . . 347 Meridian Street, E. Boston, Mass. 

Proctor, Joseph H 21 Oak Grove Terrace, Roxbury, Mass. 

Richardson, Jos. H 107 Shepard Street, Lynn, Mass. 

Smith, Charles M Humboldt, Kansas. 

Stevens, Everett A 19 High Street, Charlestown, Mass. 

Seavey, Frank 27 Polk Street, Charlestown, Mass. 

Spencer, Joseph Orange, Mass. 

Walton, S. L Wakefield, Mass. 

Wells, Wm. F 2 Phipps Place, Charlestown, Mass. 

Wells, Chas. A 154 Lebanon Street, Maiden, Mass. 

Weary, James 7 Elm Street, Wakefield, Mass. 



COMPANY K. 

Bradshaw, Aaron .... 2 Sidney Place, Dorchester, Mass. 

Bailey, T. F Egypt, P. O. Scituate, Mass. 

Blake, Henry N., Capt. . . Helena, Mont. 

Bo wen, B. Frank .... Box 261, Central Falls, R. I. 

Chandler, Chas. B Oakland, R. I. 

Cooledge, Wm. L National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Capen, Asa M 47 Lexington Street, East Boston, Mass. 

Chapman, J. H Whitman, Mass. 

Clapp, Samuel 6 Glen Street, Dorchester, Mass. 

Diamond, Jos Avon, Mass. 

Davies, Alfred 18 Park Street, Cambridgeport, Mass. 



96 



ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 



Furness, A. W 2 Bently vStreet, Salem, Mass. 

Glover, A. H Westfield Street, Dedham, Mass. 

Gleason, E. F 153 Howard Street, Dorchester, Mass. 

Gerald, R. F 572 Broadway, South Boston, Alass. 

Guptil, T. D Belfast, Me. 

Hilton, L. A North Whitefield, Me. 

Healey, Jackson Care of Oliver Ditson Co., Boston, Mass. 

Handy, Frank 457 Dudley Street, Roxbury, Mass. 

Hoffman, A. G Mattapan, Mass. 

Hippler, Andrew .... 97 Sixth Street, East Cambridge, Mass. 

Hellman, John 125^ Spring Street, East Cambridge, Mass. 

Karcher, Chris Police Station 11, Boston, Mass. 

Lewis, Cornelius 16 Chapel vStreet, Concord, N. H. 

Lucus, George W National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Lassman, R. E Box 28, Waverley, Mass. 

Munroe, William V., Capt. . 580 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. 

Neas, Frank Westfield Street, Dedham, Mass. 

Nightingale, T. J East Weymouth, Mass. 

Rowlock, George W. . . . Onset, Mass. 

Stratton, Fred National Military Home, Togus, Me. 

Schanable, Heinrich . . . 238 Stright Street, Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Snow, Henry 501 Magazine Street, Nashville, Tenn. 

Sumner, George H 64 Parson Street, Brighton, Mass. 



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